Monitoring desk
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. 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.
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.
44
