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| Lyons: BBC role is "great privilege" |
Sir Michael, who has just competed a two and half year review of local government finance for ministers, said it was a “great privilege” to be appointed to the £140,000-a-year post. Sir Michael steps into the shoes of Sir Michael Grade, who quit the post last year to join ITV.
“As Chairman I will never lose sight of the public's core expectations of editorial independence and quality programmes across television, radio and the internet which inform, educate and entertain,” he said. “I look forward to the exciting challenges of the future and working with my colleagues on the Trust to ensure the BBC provides a quality service to justify the public's continuing support."
Sir Michael was most recently professor of public policy at the University of Birmingham and has has held senior positions with numerous public bodies, including the Audit Commission. Between 1994 and 2001 he held the position of Chief Executive of Birmingham City Council. Before that he was Chief Executive of Nottinghamshire (1990-1994) and Wolverhampton MBC (1985-1990).
He is chairman of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and was previously a non-executive director of Central Television in the Midlands.
He was knighted for services to local government in 2000.
Mark Thompson, BBC Director-General, said: "Sir Michael has a formidable reputation in public sector reform and modernisation both at a regional level and nationally.
" I believe he will be a true champion for all licence payers across the UK, ensuring that the BBC is in the strongest shape creatively and professionally to give audiences the best possible value over the next Charter period.”
