Dame Elan Closs Stephens named BBC chair after Richard Sharp linked to Boris Johnson
Dame Elan Closs Stephens has been appointed as the acting chair of the BBC, following Richard Sharp’s resignation in April over a row relating to a loan for Boris Johnson.
Mr Sharp stepped down from the position after a report found he breached the governance code for public appointments.
The independent review found he breached public appointment rules by failing to declare he had helped to facilitate an £80,000 loan for Mr Johnson.
On Friday, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport announced Dame Elan will lead the BBC board from June 27 for 12 months, or until a new permanent chair has been appointed, whichever is sooner.
Dame Elan has been a member of the BBC’s governing body since 2010. She first served as member for Wales on the BBC Trust and later as the Welsh member of the BBC board.
Following her appointment, Dame Elan said: “It’s a huge honour to be appointed by the Secretary of State as acting chair and I am grateful to my fellow board members for putting their trust in me.
“As a board, we will champion the licence fee-payer across all of the UK; ensure the BBC is a vital partner for the UK creative industries; maintain trust and drive change to make the BBC fit for a fast changing media landscape.
“There is much work to be done.”
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said she is “pleased” that Dame Elan will take up the position of acting chair, adding that she “has the unanimous support of the board”.
The BBC board was consulted before the appointment in line with the corporation’s Royal Charter.
In a statement it said: “Elan has been an active and distinguished member of the BBC board who has brought huge energy and drive to her role as member for Wales.
“We are delighted that she is taking up the role as acting chair – she is the ideal choice.”
Dame Elan’s other work with broadcasters includes serving for two terms as chairwoman of Welsh-language broadcaster S4C between 1998 and 2006.
The Welsh arts champion had been expected to be named as the broadcaster’s acting chair.
Dame Elan is described as a “safe pair of hands” to guide the BBC over the summer.
The TV executive who brought Big Brother to Britain, Sir Peter Bazalgette, has been urged to apply for the permanent position.
Other candidates could include Baroness Stowell of Beeston, a former BBC executive who chairs the Lords Digital Select Committee and deputy BBC chair Damon Buffini, a private equity boss who chairs the BBC’s commercial board.
At the time of his resignation, Mr Sharp said he was quitting to “prioritise the interests” of the BBC.
The damning inquiry which looked the circumstances around his appointment found he helped facilitate the loan guarantee for Mr Johnson before he was recommended for the role of BBC chair, an appointment the then prime minister personally approved.
Additional reporting by PA News Agency
