The BBC has appointed Rhodri Talfan-Davies as deputy director-general, following in his role as interim broadcaster before Matt Brittin took over.
He will be second in command to Mr Brittin, who formally joined the BBC as its new director-general last month after previously serving as president of EMEA business and operations at Google. Mr Davies was selected following an “internal competitive recruitment process” and will be “responsible for developing and delivering the BBC’s editorial strategy and safeguarding the public’s trust in the BBC”, according to a press release.
“Mr. Rodri was an outstanding choice among several very strong candidates,” Bulletin said in a statement. “He is a trusted and experienced leader with the BBC’s values embedded in his DNA. I have gotten to know him over recent months and have seen first-hand how valuable his judgment, breadth of experience and sense of purpose are to this organization. He is steeped in the BBC’s public service mission and shares my ambition and sense of urgency to reinvent the BBC for the future.”
Mr Davies will take up his role with immediate effect and will also serve as a member of the BBC’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors. He worked for the BBC for over 28 years, most recently as director of the BBC’s Nations division.
“I am honored to be appointed Deputy Director,” said Davis. “The BBC is a beacon of trust and excellence for millions of people here in the UK and around the world. I look forward to working with teams across the organization to drive the highest editorial and creative standards and uphold the BBC’s values across our services.”
Mr. Bulletin replaces Tim Davey, who resigned on April 2 after tendering his resignation last year in the wake of the documentary editing scandal.
The appointment of a tech executive to lead the BBC signals changes within the BBC, which over the past century has transformed from a radio broadcaster into a behemoth that encompasses everything from television, streaming, IP licensing and production. The BBC’s last five directors-general all had news or at least media experience before taking over.
Photo above: Matt Brittin and Rhodri Talfan Davis
