The BBC has appointed Anne Bulford as its first female deputy director general.
Bulford previously held the role of finance chief but is taking on the new role in which she will be responsible for the BBC’s marketing and audience divisions, as well as managing finance, operations, human resources, legal and engineering departments.
With this current promotion, the likelihood of a female director-general has increased, with the BBC saying Bulford is in a position to take over from current Director General, Tony Hall.
The reshuffle has meant that the top executive team has been dramatically reduced with a number of roles being dropped. The executive team will be cut from 16 to 11 members.
However, alongside Bulford, there have been a number of women appointments. Charlotte Moore will hold the new position of director of content with additional responsibility for BBC Sport; Alice Webb will be leading the Northern region, while Helen Boaden will continue to lead BBC Radio.
Lord Hall of Birkenhead, said, “As we move towards this new chapter period I want us to turn our energy to focus on the future of public service broadcasting and what it means for our audiences.”
“The leadership changes I am making today can help ensure that the BBC is best equipped to do this.”
Continuing he said, “On a practical level, these changes are also about creating a simpler BBC with fewer layers and clear lines of accountability.”
“Much has already been achieved, but this process must now be accelerated.”
