Former Google executive confirmed as new BBC director-general replacing Tim Davie (Mar.25/14)
The incoming Director-General of the British Broadcasting Corporation has been officially named Matt Brittin to replace outgoing chief Tim Davies, with his appointment expected in May following a selection process that included interviews and presentations by 30 candidates from around the world including ex-Google executives such as former Google boss.
Key Points
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1Matt Brittin was confirmed by The Guardian and other outlets to replace Tim Davie as BBC director-general.
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2Britten, formerly Google's president in Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA), is expected at a critical time for the corporation regarding its future funding model.
Developments
Perspectives
Matt Brittin joins at "a moment of real risk" but also sees it as an opportunity, having stepped down from his role leading Google in Europe and Africa.
— (Standard.co.uk)Britten is a former member of the British Olympic rowing team who competed for Great Britain during the 1988 Seoul Olympics before becoming involved with technology companies like Microsoft Research Labs (MSRL) where he worked on AI, machine learning and natural language processing.
— (Independent.co.uk)Britten is expected to replace Tim Davie at a crucial time for the corporation as it hammers out its future funding model following years of financial losses that have led calls from some politicians in Westminster including Boris Johnson MP David Amess who has been vocal about his concerns over BBC's finances.
— (The Guardian)"I'm not going to be a sleepless man" Brittin told an event filled with television figures at the end of last year that he had made no secret in recent months regarding making this jump from big tech into broadcasting and described himself as "a gap-year student, part-time athlete."
— (Theguardian)"Could Olympian Matt Brittin be a saviour during challenging times?" The BBC is facing significant challenges including calls for reform by politicians in Westminster who have been vocal about their concerns over the corporation's finances.
— (Sky News)Former Google executive Matt Brittin has been confirmed to replace Tim Davie as director-general, taking office on May 18 with an annual salary of £565,000. He joins during turbulent times for the BBC amid a billion-dollar lawsuit from Donald Trump and controversy over racial slurs aired at Bafta awards.
Matt Brittin has become the new director general of the BBC after leaving his role as a senior executive for both Apple and Microsoft (Google is mentioned in text). The 57-year-old was selected to lead 'Auntie' following resignations from previous candidates, including Deborah Turness.
Former Google executive Matt Brittin is expected to become the BBC's next director-general on March 23, succeeding Tim Davie as part of a male-only leadership line despite previous female deputy directors in history. At age 57 and standing at six feet three inches tall after taking an Olympic gold medal earlier this year (the text cuts off before stating which event), Brittin describes himself with these traits: "Tall," energetic, British."