The BBC has begun its hunt for a new director general following George Entwistle’s dramatic decision to tender his resignation on Saturday.
Entwistle’s abrupt departure preceded a sense of mounting managerial crisis in the ranks at the BBC, with the organisations head of news and her deputy, both announcing that they were stepping aside within the past hour.
Entwistle fell on his sword after concluding that he was ‘ultimately responsible for all content’ although not before securing a year’s pay for his eight week stint.
Tim Davie, the BBC’s former head of marketing, has been appointed as an interim leader whilst a new candidate is sought.
Amongst those in the frame for the top job are Ed Richards, chief executive of OFCOM, who has headed up the broadcasting regulator since 2006 and may be a favourite amongst those seeking someone from outside the BBC to change the internal culture.
Other names in the hat include Carloline Thompson, the BBC’s former chief operating officer who departed after missing out on the top job to Entwistle and Tim Davie himself may be asked to stay on should he prove to be a safe pair of hands in the weeks ahead.