The BBC is expected to announce the successor to chair of the board David Clementi before Christmas, according to reports.
The New European suggests Richard Sharp is a “shoo-in” for the position. He emerged as a contender in October. Sharp was chancellor Rishi Sunak’s boss when he was at Goldman and was also an adviser to prime minister Boris Johnson during his time as London mayor.
The report suggests three other people who made the shortlist include Tina Stowell, previously the BBC’s head of corporate affairs before her peerage and appointment as leader of the Lords; Rupert Gavin, a former boss of BBC Worldwide; and Michael Hastings, a previous head of BBC public affairs before he, too, was sent to the Upper House.
Sebastian Coe is also said to have been in the running.
Other names that have been touted as possible candidates include David Dimbleby and Charles Moore, who have both ruled themselves out of the job.
Clementi announced in June that he intended to stand down as the BBC’s chair in February 2021.