Matt Brittin appointed new BBC Director-General

Matt Brittin appointed new BBC Director-General

25 March 2026

Matt Brittin appointed new BBC Director-General

He will take over the role on 18 May

“At its best, it shows us, and the world, who we are. It’s an extraordinary, uniquely British asset, with over 100 years of innovation in storytelling, technology and powering creativity.  I’m honoured and excited to be asked to serve as Director-General.”

— Matt Brittin, Incoming Director-General

The BBC Board has today appointed Matt Brittin as the 18th Director-General of the BBC. Matt, former President Google EMEA, will take over the role on 18 May.

The Director-General of the BBC is the Corporation’s chief executive officer and editor-in-chief. They are responsible for the creative, editorial and operational leadership of the BBC within the United Kingdom and around the globe.

As previously confirmed, Rhodri Talfan Davies will lead the BBC as Interim Director-General following Tim Davie’s departure on 2 April. During this period, Matt will undergo an onboarding process and begin detailed introductory meetings to get a full understanding of the business. Rhodri will have full executive responsibility until 18 May, when Matt begins his tenure.

Among his other priorities, Matt intends to appoint a Deputy Director-General.

Samir Shah, Chairman of the BBC Board, said: “Matt brings to the BBC deep experience of leading a high-profile and highly-complex organisation through transformation. He is an outstanding leader and has the skills needed to navigate the organisation through the many changes taking place in the media market and in audience behaviours.

“Matt’s passion for the BBC, his understanding of the challenges facing the organisation, his commitment to its independence and his determination to maintain the BBC’s position as one of the country’s greatest national assets were critical factors in the Board’s decision to appoint him as the 18th Director-General.

“Matt joins the BBC at a critical time. The Government’s review of the Charter is underway, and it is clear there is need for radical reform of the BBC, its funding model and the framework in which it operates. The stakes for the BBC, and the future of public service broadcasting, have never been higher.

“The Board and I believe Matt is the right person to lead the BBC as it fights for a sustainable future in an uncertain world, for the benefit of audiences and the UK.”

Incoming Director-General, Matt Brittin, said: “Now, more than ever, we need a thriving BBC that works for everyone in a complex, uncertain and fast changing world. At its best, it shows us, and the world, who we are. It’s an extraordinary, uniquely British asset, with over 100 years of innovation in storytelling, technology and powering creativity. I’m honoured and excited to be asked to serve as Director-General.

“Working alongside so many talented journalists, creatives and technicians, across the country and around the world, I join with humility, to listen, to learn, to lead, and to serve the public, working hard to earn their trust every day.

“This is a moment of real risk, yet also real opportunity. The BBC needs the pace and energy to be both where stories are, and where audiences are. To build on the reach, trust and creative strengths today, confront challenges with courage, and thrive as a public service fit for the future. I can’t wait to start this work.”

Matt joined Google in 2007 to lead the UK business and left in 2025 after heading their EMEA region for ten years. He previously worked in regional and national press and in consulting on media and technology. Matt served on the Board of Sainsbury’s for nine years and has just stepped down from the Board of the Guardian Media Group.

Notes to Editors

  • The salary of the new Director-General will be £565,000

Last day for Bush House

12 July 2012

1106 GMT, Thursday 12 July – the end of an era. That’s when Bush House, home to BBC World Service for the last 70 years, will cease to be its home, the place from where the strains of Lilliburlero have been broadcast on the global English-language service to listeners around the world on the hour, every hour.

The final broadcast will be an English-language news bulletin starting after the 1100GMT time signal. Then, as the transmission light goes out for the last time, the final members of staff will decamp to the brand new extension to Broadcasting House a couple of miles away from Bush where the rest of the World Service is now located.

And if you’re hungry for a piece of nostalgia – or need a good, albeit heavily-used, radio studio, you can bid on the first phase of the technical equipment that World Service is leaving behind. An online auction is being run that will see all the broadcasting kit, plus a good deal of somewhat scuffed office furniture as well as a couple of pianos, disposed of.

Take a look at The Guardian‘s pictorial tribute to Bush House, and take a trip down memory lane on the Bush House Memories Facebook group.

And from everyone at the AIB who has worked at Bush, we say thank you for having us and farewell.

George Entwistle appointed as Director-General of the BBC

4 July 2012

The BBC Trust has today appointed George Entwistle as the Director-General of the BBC.

George Entwistle, who is currently Director of BBC Vision, will take over from current Director-General Mark Thompson on a salary of £450,000 per year.

Mark Thompson announced his intention to leave the BBC in March this year and will hand over to George Entwistle in the autumn.

Announcing the appointment, BBC Trust Chairman Lord Patten said:

“George is a creative leader for a creative organisation.

“His experience of making and delivering great programmes that audiences love – built up through many years of working for the Corporation – will prove invaluable as he and his team work to ensure the BBC remains the greatest broadcaster in the world.

“Above all George is passionate about the BBC, is committed to its public service ethos and has a clear vision for how it can harness the creativity and commitment of its staff to continue to serve audiences in ever more innovative ways.”

George Entwistle said:

“I’m delighted that the Chairman and Trustees have decided I’m the right person for the job. And I’m very excited about all that lies ahead. I love the BBC and it’s a privilege to be asked to lead it into the next stage of its creative life.”

Mark Thompson said:

“I think this is a brilliant appointment. George has shown himself to be an outstanding leader with an intuitive understanding of public sector broadcasting. He has a formidable track record as a programme maker and in recent years has also shown his calibre as a leader. I wish him and the BBC every success in the years to come.”

Lord Patten added:

“I once again want to pay tribute to Mark Thompson. His creativity, vision and leadership have made him an outstanding Director-General of the BBC and he will be sorely missed.”

Notes to editors

  1. George Entwistle has been with the BBC since 1989 when he joined as a broadcast journalism trainee. His most recent position was as Director of BBC Vision, which he has held since 2011. Prior to that he was the Controller of Knowledge Commissioning and he has been responsible for some of the BBC’s most high profile programmes including Panorama, while he was Head of Current Affairs, and Newsnight, of which he was the editor. His full biography can be accessed here.
  2. George Entwistle will be the 15th Director-General of the BBC. The Director-General is the Chief Executive Officer of the BBC and its Editor-in-Chief. The Trust has also determined that the Director-General will chair the BBC’s Executive Board. The Director-General is the editorial, operational and creative leader of the BBC, with responsibility for a significant global workforce and the Corporation’s services across television, radio and online.
  3. The appointment was made at a full meeting of the BBC Trust this morning, following a two stage interview process. An initial short list of candidates was interviewed by Lord Patten and Trust Vice Chairman Diane Coyle. Following this a final list of candidates was interviewed by a panel comprising the following Trustees: Lord Patten, Dr Coyle, Alison Hastings, David Liddiment, Anthony Fry and Elan Closs Stephens. A recommendation was then put forward to the full Trust board and agreed this morning.
  4. The appointment is a permanent contract and is subject to standard BBC terms and conditions. The package consists of a basic salary and the BBC’s standard pension arrangements. There is no variable component to the pay.
  5.  The Trust was assisted in the search for the Director-General by executive recruitment firm Egon Zehnder after a competitive process. The firm carried out an initial succession planning phase of work to identify the key elements required of any new Director-General should a vacancy arise in the future. This involved interviewing more than 30 people with an insight into the role. They used this information to help the Trust draw up a role specification. In the second phase of the exercise Egon Zehnder designed and managed the recruitment process on behalf of the BBC Trust. Egon Zehnder was paid a total of £157,500 plus VAT, covering both phases of the work.
  6. Mark Thompson was appointed to the role of Director-General in May 2004. He is currently paid £671,000 per year.