UK industry experts to advise government on BBC Charter Review

A panel of experts from across a range of industries have been appointed by the Culture Secretary to support the BBC Charter Review process

2015-07-13

UK Culture Secretary John Whittingdale has confirmed the appointment of experts from across a range of industries to support the BBC Charter Review process on July 12.

The advisory group will play an important role in the government’s plans to deliver a transparent, open and democratic Charter Review. Its remit will be to provide expertise, innovation and advice for the process and policy of the review of the BBC Royal Charter by:

providing strategic independent oversight and challenge to the Charter Review programme of work; and bringing to bear their own personal experience and expertise on the policy debates.

The group takes in representatives from a range of backgrounds, with different experiences and differing views about the BBC. The advisory group members are as follows:

•Dawn Airey – Senior Vice President of Yahoo’s business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and formerly Chairman and Chief Executive of Channel 5.
•Dame Colette Bowe – Chairman of the Banking Standards Board, President of the Voice of the Listener and Viewer, and former Chair of Ofcom.
•Andrew Fisher - Executive Chairman at Shazam.
•Darren Henley OBE – CEO of Arts Council England and former Managing Director of Classic FM.
•Ashley Highfield – CEO of Johnston Press, one of the largest local media groups in the UK, and former director at the BBC.
•Alex Mahon – former CEO of Shine Group, global television content production company.
•Lopa Patel MBE - digital entrepreneur and founder/CEO of NewAsianPost.com and Diversity UK.
•Stewart Purvis CBE - British broadcaster and academic, and former Editor-in-Chief and CEO of ITN.

Secretary of State for Culture, Media, Sport, John Whittingdale MP, said:

“Each member of the independent advisory group brings individual skills, experience and expertise. Together they will contribute to the oversight of the Government’s Review of the BBC Royal Charter. I look forward to working with them on this important issue.”

Members have been appointed in a voluntary capacity and on the basis of their personal experience, not as representatives of their respective organisations. They will meet up to six times a year, with additional members co-opted as and when required by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.

source: UK Department for Culture, Media & Sport