Grade to be named new BBC chairman
Pinewood Studios boss Michael Grade was today due to be named as the BBC’s new chairman, BBC News 24 reported.
The appointment comes after former chairman Gavyn Davies quit over the contents of the Hutton Report into the death of Dr David Kelly.
Earlier this week acting BBC chairman Lord Ryder announced his decision to retire from the corporation in June.
One of the new chairman’s first tasks in office will be to appoint a new BBC Director General following Greg Dyke’s resignation in the wake of Hutton, BBC News 24 said.
Mr Grade, who runs the Pinewood-Shepperton film studios and is chairman of the lottery firm Camelot, had earlier emerged as a favourite for the post among some commentators.
Candidates for the chairmanship were interviewed earlier this month by a panel led by Sue Street, the culture department’s permanent secretary.
Also tipped for the post were Question Time presenter David Dimbleby and Liberal Democrat peer Lord Watson.
A spokesman for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport today said he could not confirm Mr Grade’s appointment.
“All we have said is we will be making the appointment by mid-April. There is a chance that that will happen today,” he said.
Former Channel 4 boss Mr Grade has extensive media experience. His previous posts include director of programmes at London Weekend Television and BBC Television.
Commentators say his appointment to the £81,000 (€122,000)-a-year job of BBC chairman will not be seen as a “safe” choice . During his time as chief executive of Channel 4, Mr Grade was labelled “pornographer-in-chief” by the Daily Mail.
