The UK’s culture secretary Lucy Frazer has announced Dr Samir Shah, CBE, as its “preferred candidate” for the role of BBC chair.
He had been rumoured to be the frontrunner for the role.
The position has been vacant since Richard Sharp stepped down in April. Dame Elan Closs Stephens has been serving as acting chair.
Shah will now appear before MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee for pre-appointment scrutiny.
Frazer said: “With a career spanning more than 40 years in TV production and journalism, Dr Shah has a wealth of experience to bring to the position of BBC chair. He has a clear ambition to see the BBC succeed in a rapidly changing media landscape, and I have no doubt he will provide the support and scrutiny that the BBC needs to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future.
“His knowledge of the BBC and his belief in its role as a national broadcaster alongside his extensive work to promote diversity in broadcasting will be invaluable in helping to ensure that the BBC reflects, represents and serves communities across the whole of the UK.”
Shah added: “I am delighted to be named the preferred candidate for chair of the BBC and I look forward to the upcoming pre-appointment hearing with the Select Committee. The BBC is, without doubt, one of the greatest contributions we have made to global culture and one of our strongest calling cards on soft power.
“If I am able to put what skills, experience, and understanding of public service broadcasting I have built up during my career to help this brilliant organisation meet the complex and diverse challenges it faces over the coming years, it would be an honour,” he continued.
“The BBC has a great place in British life and a unique duty to reach a wide audience right across the country and I will do all I can to ensure it fulfils this in an increasingly competitive market.”
Reacting to the news, a BBC spokesperson said: “We welcome the announcement that Samir Shah has been selected as the government’s preferred candidate to take up the role of BBC chair and look forward to him joining the Board once the formal process has been completed.”
One of the biggest challenges facing the new BBC chair will be a rumoured lower-than-expected licence fee increase.
