On 1st September 2020 Tim Davie became the 17th Director General of the BBC. Let’s take a brief look at his journey to the top job at the BBC.
The first in his family to attend University; after winning a scholarship to Whitgift School in Croydon he studied English at Selwyn College, Cambridge. Tim joined Procter & Gamble as a trainee in 1991. His career began when he was appointed UK Marketing Manager for PepsiCo in 1993, There followed promotions in the marketing role of Vice-President in various global regions. During this time, he stood as a councillor for the Conservative Party in Hammersmith in 1993 and 1994 and was deputy chairman of the Hammersmith and Fulham Conservative party in the 1990s.
Tim Davie joined the BBC as Director of Marketing, Communications and Audiences in April 2005 and was newly appointed Director General Mark Thompson’s first senior external appointment.
In June 2008, he replaced Jenny Abramsky as Director of Audio & Music and had overall responsibility for all the BBC’s national radio networks and the corporation’s music output across all media. He was also in charge of the three BBC Orchestras based in England; and The Proms. In July 2009 he was on The Guardian’s list of the 100 most influential people in the media.
During turbulent times at the BBC, after George Entwistle’s resignation as DG after only 54 days, Davie took over as acting Director General. When Tony Hall was appointed DG, Tim became Chief Executive officer of BBC Worldwide. In April 2018 Worldwide merged with the TV-making arm of the BBC, BBC Studios and he became Chief Executive of BBC Studios and a Director globally.
In 2018 he was awarded a CBE in 2018, for services to international trade and was appointed Chairman of the Creative Industries Council. He is also Chairman of Comic Relief and a Trustee of the Tate and the Royal Television Society. Tim likes running and is married with 3 children, all boys.
In January 2020, Tony Hall announced his intention to resign from the Director-General’s position before the scheduled end of his tenure. After formal interviews in May it was announced on 5th June that Tim Davie would succeed Tony Hall as Director General.
I hope this background potted history of Tim’s career gives members more knowledge about our latest DG.
