BBC Scotland boss behind ‘Nine’ and new channel to step down

THE head of BBC Scotland has announced plans to step down almost a year after overseeing the launch of a new channel north of the Border.

Donalda Mackinnon became the broadcaster’s first female leader in Scotland when she was appointed to the job four years ago.

Her announcement comes weeks after Tony Hall revealed he will quit as director general of the BBC in the summer.

Ms Mackinnon oversaw the creation of the new BBC Scotland TV channel and news programme The Nine, and is responsible for editorial content for online, radio and television.

She said she will retire from the role in the autumn because she will be 60 at the end of 2020 and is “keen, for family and personal reasons, to get some time back”.

Speaking to staff yesterday at BBC Scotland’s headquarters at Pacific

Quay in Glasgow, Ms Mackinnon said: “It has not been an easy decision for me to leave this job, a team and the best colleagues and friends I could have wished to have.

“Reflecting back on all that we have achieved, and with complete certainty that we are in strong shape for the future, I’ve decided this is the right time for me to stand down and allow a new leader to take you all to the next stage.”

The former teacher continued: “It will be a milestone year for me and I’m keen, for family and personal reasons, to get some time back.”

Ms Mackinnon stressed the BBC is an organisation she loves “and about which I care deeply”.

The mother-of-three has been with the broadcaster for 33 years and is a former head of children’s and Gaelic services.

Lord Hall said she had been a “hugely valued colleague and friend”.

He said: “She has achieved an enormous amount in her time at the BBC and been a passionate advocate both for the BBC in Scotland and for Scotland’s interests inside the organisation.

“And beyond that, as a passionate advocate of diversity and inclusion, Donalda has used her warmth and openness to bring about changes to the whole organisation, designed to make the BBC a great place in which to work for women and all.

“We’ll miss her, but we wish her a very happy retirement.”

The corporation said the search for a successor will begin immediately.

Lord Hall announced his own exit last month.

He said the decision had been tough, adding: “If I followed my heart I would genuinely never want to leave.”

It comes amid an ongoing row over the future of the BBC, with senior sources in Downing Street floating plans to scrap the licence fee.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is said to favour “reform rather than revolution”, but his chief special adviser Dominic Cummings wants to overhaul the system.

The BBC’S charter is due for renewal in 2027.

Former culture secretary Nicky Morgan previously said the time had come to “think carefully about how we make sure the TV licence fee remains relevant in this changing media landscape”.

She said: “Many people consider it wrong that you can be imprisoned for not paying for your TV licence and that its enforcement punishes the vulnerable.”

Scottish Labour culture spokeswoman Claire Baker paid tribute to Ms Mackinnon.

She said: “Everyone at Scottish Labour would like to thank Donalda Mackinnon for her substantial contribution to public life in Scotland and would like to wish her every success in the future.

“At a time when the BBC is coming under increasing pressure from the Conservative government the need to protect the budget of BBC Scotland is greater than ever.

“Scottish Labour will continue to promote investment in BBC Scotland and we look forward to hearing who is to succeed Donalda Mackinnon in this crucial role.”