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BBC announces key leadership roles
The BBC is to appoint a leader based in Salford Quays for the
biggest ever BBC project to increase production outside of
London.
Two new leadership roles announced today are major steps
for two significant BBC projects due to complete in 2012, and
will help deliver Creative Future, the BBC's editorial blueprint
for BBC programmes, content and services.
The post of Director, BBC North, will be advertised, and the
person appointed will be responsible for creating and leading the
BBC's dynamic new digital hub in Salford, where a significant
proportion of BBC content and services for the UK will be
commissioned, developed and produced.
An appointment is
expected before the end of the year.
The BBC's Sports department, Children's (including the CBeebies
and CBBC channels), Children's Learning, BBC Radio 5 Live,
departments within BBC Future Media and Technology and the BBC's
existing departments including network and local broadcasting
currently situated at Oxford Road in Manchester are to move to
Salford by 2012.
The new director, who will join the BBC Direction Group, will in
the immediate future report to Caroline Thomson, Chief Operating
Officer, BBC, and when BBC North is fully operational in Salford
will report to Mark Byford, Deputy Director-General.
The announcement was made this morning at a meeting in Salford as
the BBC's Director-General Mark Thompson brought together the
senior leaders involved in the move.
Another key move sees Andy Griffee, currently Controller, BBC
English Regions, appointed as Editorial Director, Project W1 with
immediate effect.
In his new senior role, Andy will lead the
co-siting of BBC News, BBC Global News (which includes the BBC
World Service and BBC World News) and BBC London, as they join
together to form the world's largest live news broadcasting hub,
working alongside BBC Audio & Music.
He will lead the
development of new ways of working and the introduction of new
production technology as the different divisions move to the
BBC's new Broadcasting House development in Central London by
2012.
Making the announcements in Salford today, Mark Thompson said: "The appointment of a Director of BBC North is the latest signal
of how advanced our plans are to produce more than half of our
content outside of London by 2016.
"Salford will be a world
class broadcasting centre and one of the most exciting places to
work in the British broadcasting industry.
"I am also delighted to announce Andy Griffee's new appointment.
His outstanding management skills and extensive editorial
experience make him the right person to lead the next phase of
the project to create the new Broadcasting House in London.
"2012 is a big year for Britain and for the BBC – the Olympic
Games, the completion of the BBC's presence in Salford, and the
opening of BBC Broadcasting House are historic projects which
will yield huge benefits to licence payers.
"These appointments
are major milestones as we get ready for such an important year."
Andy Griffee said: "I'm really excited to be joining a team which
has this once-in-a-lifetime creative opportunity.
"It's going to
be a fantastic place to work which I believe should inspire us to
new levels of innovation and collaboration for the benefit of all
our audiences."
Notes to Editors
1. The decision to move a major proportion of production outside
of London followed the publication of the BBC's Building Public
Value strategy in 2004, which outlines the Corporation's vision
for a less "London-centric" BBC.
The North of England was
identified as the proposed location for such a major move.
A
new headquarters for BBC Scotland at Pacific Quay in Glasgow and
other developments across the UK will also see significant shifts
of output and production away from London.
By 2016, more than
half of the BBC's content will be made outside the capital.
2. The BBC is to move five London-based departments and those
based in Oxford Road in Manchester to a new development,
mediacity:uk, at Salford Quays in a series of moves to be
completed by 2012.
The BBC is an anchor tenant in the Peel
Holdings development, which is expected to be a centre attracting
other media tenants including production companies, facilities
and other broadcasters.
Construction began in 2007.
Around
800 staff currently based in Manchester will be joined by more
than 1,500 London posts in the Salford development.
3. Andy Griffee became Controller of BBC English Regions in 1999.
He began his journalism career in local newspapers and joined
the BBC in 1988, working as an editor in regional television news
before becoming Head of Regional and Local Programmes in BBC
South.
As Controller, English Regions for nearly ten years, he
has been responsible for 3,000 staff across England, working in
39 local radio stations, and a network of regional television
centres and an online network.
4. On 18 October 2007, BBC Director-General Mark Thompson
launched an extensive cross-media, audience focussed project
entitled Creative Future – an editorial blueprint for BBC
programmes, content and services during the current Charter
period.
The five key themes in the blueprint are:
 Quality and innovation
Value to all audiences
On demand
Build a digital Britain
The most creative place to work
5. The appointment of Roger Mosey as Director of London 2012 for
the BBC was announced yesterday.
BBC Press Office
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