F
ormer Goldman Sachs banker Richard Sharp will succeed Sir David Clementi as the next BBC chairman, it has been announced.
Mr Sharp, who was once Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s boss, will take over as the corporation faces scrutiny over equal pay, diversity, free TV licences for the over-75s and competition from streaming services such as Netflix, as well as the on-going coronavirus crisis.
The 64-year-old multimillionaire has spent much of the past year as an unpaid adviser to Mr Sunak, and is steeped in Conservative Party connections.
A long-term party donor who has forked out more than £416,000 in donations, Mr Sharp was a member of Boris Johnson’s economic advisory council when the Prime Minister was Mayor of London.
BBC News
Published
Former Goldman Sachs banker Richard Sharp is set to be named the BBC s next chairman, the corporation s media editor Amol Rajan says.
Mr Sharp spent 23 years working for the banking giant and was reportedly Chancellor Rishi Sunak s boss there.
He has recently been acting as an unpaid economic adviser to Mr Sunak during the coronavirus pandemic.
His new role will see him lead negotiations with the government over the future of the licence fee.
The licence fee is due to stay in place until at least 2027, when the BBC s Royal Charter ends, with a debate about how the broadcaster should be funded after that.
A former Goldman Sachs banker will this week be installed by Boris Johnson as the next BBC chairman amid a deepening debate about the fate of the television licence fee and unprecedented competition from commercial rivals.
Sky News has learnt that the government is preparing to announce the appointment of Richard Sharp as Sir David Clementi s successor as soon as Thursday.
Mr Sharp, who during his long career at Goldman was once Rishi Sunak s boss, has spent much of the past year as an unpaid adviser to the chancellor on the economic response to the coronavirus pandemic. Image: Mr Sharp spent several years as a member of the Bank of England s Financial Policy Committee Pic: Bank of England
Government announces preferred candidate for BBC Chair
Richard Sharp is the Government’s preferred candidate for the BBC Chair, the Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden announced today.
From:
6 January 2021
Mr Sharp, a former Chair of the Royal Academy of Arts with a background in finance and public service, has been selected following an open and rigorous competition and in line with the Governance Code.
He will bring his extensive experience in global commerce, the creative industries, and in public service to lead the BBC Board, supporting the Director General to deliver the BBC’s Mission and Public Purposes in the fast-changing media landscape.
Former Goldman Banker and Political Donor to Be Named BBC Chairman
Richard Sharp will step into a role that requires a politician’s touch as the broadcaster faces threats to its funding from the governing Conservative Party.
The BBC is facing threats to its funding from the Conservative government. Credit.Daniel Leal-Olivas/Agence France-Presse Getty Images
Jan. 6, 2021
LONDON Richard Sharp, a former Goldman Sachs banker and adviser to the British government, is expected to be named the next chairman of the BBC, to lead the public broadcaster through a critical period as its purpose, funding and sustainability are reviewed.
Mr. Sharp will take the helm at the broadcaster amid long-running complaints by the governing Conservative Party over its coverage and the mandatory license fees paid by households to finance it. The BBC reported on Mr. Sharp’s appointment after an initial report by Sky News. An official announcement is expected in coming days.