BBC appoints new Worldwide chairman

The BBC has named non-executive director Robert Webb has the new chairman of BBC Worldwide.

Webb’s appointment complies with the BBC Trust’s rules, which state that the chairman of BBC Worldwide must also be a BBC executive, to “strengthen the link between the two boards and the role of the BBC’s public service arm as the shareholder in the company”.

In addition to his BBC role, Webb is also non-executive director of the London Stock Exchange and of the commercial property company Argent Group PLC.    He is also chairman of technology firm Autonomy and has spent the last 11 years as general counsel at British Airways.

John Smith, BBC Worldwide’s chief executive, said: “Robert’s experience at plc board level will be invaluable to BBC Worldwide. He is widely respected and a leader in his field. I am certain his commercial acumen will provide us with the necessary levels of support and challenge as we enter the next phase of our business strategy.”

Webb added: “BBCW has at its heart a mission to maximise the value of BBC intellectual property. It creates and promotes not only BBC content but other brands as well, saving the UK licence fee payer money and maximising their investment. The people who do this have a great reputation in the whole industry.

Webb will step down from his current role as chair of the BBC’s fair trading committee when he joins BBC Worldwide.