THE BBC TRUST has named George Entwistle as its new director-general, an amalgamation of the positions of editor-in-chief and chief executive.
He will start his new job in August/September this year on a salary of £450,000, over £220,000 less than his predecessor Mark Thompson.
Currently the director of BBC Vision, the 49-year-old will take over from Thompson – who announced his departure in March – after the Olympic Games.
Chairman Lord Patten described the new DG as a creative leader who is passionate about the organisation he joined as trainee journalist in 1989.
“I love the BBC,” said Entwistle after his appointment. “It’s a privilege to be asked to lead it into the next stage of its creative life.”
Prior to his current position at BBC Vision, Entwistle was the Controller of Knowledge Commissioning. He has also held responsibility for Panorama and Newsnight during his career at the broadcasters.
He will become the 15th director general of the BBC.
Although he has navigated his way through several scandals, including the Sachsgate (Russell Brand/Johnathan Ross prank calls) affair, and budget cuts and staff redundancies, Thompson’s tenure has been hailed a success. Lord Patten paid tribute to his creativity, vision and leadership over the past eight years. “He will be sorely missed,” he said.
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