This is what he pledged during that contest: There is much work to be done."Ĭulture Secretary Lucy Frazer said Dame Elan "has the unanimous support of the board, adding: "When she takes over, Dame Elan will provide stability in the leadership of the BBC while a process to appoint a new permanent chair is run."Īfter the Labour Party's collapse in the 2019 election, Jeremy Corbyn announced his resignation as leader.ĭuring his successful campaign to replace Mr Corbyn, Sir Keir Starmer made ten pledges - promises he has since been accused of ditching after winning over the party membership. She said: "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. In a press release announcing her appointed, Dame Elan said it is a "huge honour" to be appointed to the role. She has also served as chair of the Wales Committee, and also chair of the BBC’s commercial subsidiary from 2019 to 2022.Ī Welsh-language speaker herself, Dame Elan chaired the Welsh-language broadcaster S4C between 19.Ĭurrently, Dame Elan is the Pro Chancellor and Professor Emerita in Communications and Creative Industries at Aberystwyth University, among many other cultural roles. Her appointment to the role comes after Richard Sharp resigned as chairman at the end of April after a report found he broke the rules by failing to disclose the role he played in helping Boris Johnson secure an £800,000 loan.ĭame Elan has been a member of the BBC's governing body since 2010, serving as member for Wales on the BBC Trust until it was disbanded in 2017. The government has announced that Professor Dame Elan Closs Stephens will take over as acting chair of the BBC from 27 June. In his resignation statement, Mr Sharp insisted that his breach of the rules was "inadvertent and not material", but said it is "right to prioritise the interests of the BBC" by stepping down. The report also found that Number 10's support for Mr Sharp was relayed to the government department dealing with the appointments process. Mr Sharp said he "wished" he had told the panel about the potential perceived conflicts of interest. The inquiry found it could be perceived that Mr Sharp was given the job because he helped the prime minister with a financial matter, and he may not be independent of Number 10. The report found Mr Sharp "failed to disclose potential perceived conflicts of interest to the panel which interviewed candidates and advised ministers". He had introduced his friend Sam Blyth, a distant cousin of Mr Johnson who wanted to help him with his financial troubles, to Cabinet Secretary Simon Case ahead of being recommended for the BBC role by the government.Īfter detailed reporting by the Times newspaper, an investigation into Mr Sharp's appointment was announced in January, and was eventually conducted by Adam Heppinstall KC. Mr Sharp decided to step down after being caught up in a row over his appointment into the role at the BBC since January, when it emerged he helped facilitate an £800,000 loan guarantee for Boris Johnson - just weeks before the former prime minister appointed him. She will take over from Richard Sharp who resigned as chair on 28 April. The government has just announced that Professor Dame Elan Closs Stephens will take over as acting chair of the BBC from 27 June (see post at 12.09).
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