Category: BBC

Date: 19.10.2004
Printable version

Dame Pauline Neville-Jones, the BBC's International Governor since January 1998, has decided to stand down from the Board of Governors a year early to enable her successor to be appointed in advance of the final phase of Charter renewal decisions later next year.

Dame Pauline Neville-Jones said: "As the BBC approaches the final phase of decisions about its future, it will be important for those involved to be established in post and ready to take responsibility for implementation of the outcome.

"I am due to retire from the Board at what will be a crucial period of discussions and decisions about the BBC's future.

"I therefore believe the BBC would be better served to have a new International Governor in place well in advance of December 2005 to provide continuity throughout the final phase of the Charter renewal process.

"I am sorry to be leaving the BBC. I have enjoyed a fascinating seven years at the Corporation and am particularly proud to have played a small part in the development of the BBC's Global News services, BBC World Service and BBC World.

"The BBC's television, radio and online services remain an important part of British culture and the fact the BBC continues to thrive amongst audiences at home and abroad is testament to a professional and dedicated management team who are committed to providing a quality public service.

"My colleagues on the Board work hard to represent the public interest and I am confident that, once the modernising changes in governance are implemented in full, the BBC's Board of Governors will be properly recognised as the right force to defend the BBC's independence and ensure the public receives real value for its licence fee."

BBC Chairman, Michael Grade, said: "On behalf of the Board of Governors, I would like to record our thanks to Pauline Neville-Jones for seven years of devoted service to the BBC.

"During her time on the Board, the BBC has benefited from Pauline's vast intellect and deep wisdom on a whole range of important issues, including governance, the BBC's independence, and ensuring the BBC provides value for money to licence payers.

"She has been an outstanding champion of BBC World Service and BBC World and an effective Chairman of the Audit Committee.

"We will miss Pauline's unwavering belief in the BBC."

Richard Sambrook, Director of World Service and Global News, said: "The BBC World Service and international news services have been very fortunate to have the support and dedication of Dame Pauline for the last seven years.

"With her experience and judgement she has made an enormous contribution to the World Service which, under her guidance, is as strong as it has ever been."

Notes to Editors

Dame Pauline has written to Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, to resign with effect from 31 December 2004.

Dame Pauline Neville-Jones DCMG was appointed a BBC Governor on 1 January 1998.

Following her re-appointment in December 2003 for a further two years, Dame Pauline was due to retire from the Board in December 2005.

Dame Pauline was Chairman of the Audit Committee from 1998: she stood down from that position in September 2004 and Sir Robert Smith was appointed interim Chairman.

She is Chairman of the Governors' World Service Consultative Group and a member of the Remuneration Committee.

She has also been a member of the Governors' Programme Complaints Committee.

The Department for Culture, Media & Sport is responsible for appointments to the Board of Governors and will soon begin the process of appointing a successor to Dame Pauline Neville-Jones using the established Nolan procedures.

She is Chairman of QinetiQ Group plc and of the Information Assurance Advisory Council.