Select Committee · Culture, Media and Sport Committee

Pre-appointment hearing for Chair of the BBC

Status: Closed Opened: 20 Nov 2023 Closed: 5 Feb 2024 2 recommendations 7 conclusions 1 report
Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Third Report - Pre-appointment hearing for Chair of the BBC… HC 383 15 Dec 2023 9 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

5 items
20 Recommendation Third Report - Pre-appointment hearing … Acknowledged

Dr Shah's experience strong in factual content; needs broader BBC insight.

Dr Shah has considerable experience of broadcasting that he will bring to the role, with a clear focus on factual content, especially in politics, news and current affairs. During the hearing, we examined his experience and vision for other aspects of the work of the Corporation, including drama, entertainment and …

Government response. The government notes the committee's observations about Dr. Shah's experience and their expectation for him to demonstrate broader insight in future appearances, confirming his appointment as Chair of the BBC.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
21 Conclusion Third Report - Pre-appointment hearing … Acknowledged

Dr Shah shows sound understanding of BBC challenges and funding requirements.

In his written and oral evidence to the Committee, Dr Shah demonstrated awareness of the current and upcoming challenges facing broadcast media and the BBC specifically. His immediate priorities for the Corporation appeared narrowly focused on news and current affairs, but his broader view of the need for sustainable funding …

Government response. The government acknowledges the committee's positive assessment of Dr Shah's understanding of BBC challenges and confirms his appointment to the role of Chair.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
22 Conclusion Third Report - Pre-appointment hearing … Acknowledged

No concerns about Dr Shah's conflicts of interest due to proposed mitigations.

Dr Shah responded to our concerns about the BBC’s impartiality and independence from the Government, and the need for accountability from the organisation and from the Chair specifically to Parliament and the public. We have no grounds for concern about Dr Shah’s reported conflicts of interest, given his proposed mitigations, …

Government response. The government notes the committee's findings that Dr. Shah responded to concerns about impartiality and independence, and that there were no grounds for concern regarding conflicts of interest. The government confirms his appointment as Chair of the BBC.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
23 Conclusion Third Report - Pre-appointment hearing … Acknowledged

Dr Shah's leadership experience in large organisations beyond BBC is limited.

In addition to his extensive media background, Dr Shah’s CV also includes considerable board-level experience in arts and heritage organisations and on bodies relating to race equality. However, his experience in providing leadership in large organisations is limited to his previous senior executive and non-executive roles at the BBC, the …

Government response. The government acknowledges the committee's observations about Dr Shah's experience limitations, reiterates its confidence in his suitability, and confirms his appointment will proceed.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
27 Conclusion Third Report - Pre-appointment hearing … Acknowledged

Require Dr Shah to appear before Committee within three months if appointed.

If the Government chooses to proceed with the appointment of Dr Shah as Chair of the BBC Board, we expect him to appear before the Committee within the first three months of appointment to demonstrate that he has sufficiently considered and addressed our concerns. Work of the Department for Culture, …

Government response. The government acknowledges the Committee's report and expresses confidence in Dr. Shah's ability to support the BBC.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Oral evidence sessions

1 session
Date Witnesses
13 Dec 2023 Dr Samir Shah CBE · BBC View ↗

Correspondence

2 letters
DateDirectionTitle
13 Dec 2023 Pre-appointment hearing for Chair of the BBC Board: Dr Samir Shah - cv
13 Dec 2023 Pre-appointment hearing for Chair of the BBC Board: Dr Samir Shah - Committee R…