Rona Fairhead has resigned from the chairmanship of the BBC trust ahead of major overhauls spurred by Theresa May, the British Prime Minister. Fairhead was appointed to the four year position in October 2014 and confirmed four months ago by former PM David Cameron, a decision now reversed by May.
Fairhead was asked to complete her term as chair of the new board by former premiere Cameron despite the prospective replacement of the Trust by a new Unitary Board under the reforms. This drew criticism from the parliament’s culture committee which opted the position be open to public competition on account of political sensitivity.
On this note the Prime Minister decided to re-run the process, a decision which Fairhead has publicly rejected.
“The prime minister strongly encouraged me to take part in the new appointment process, for what would be a new four year term as BBC Chairman,” Fairhead said.
“However, after much thought I have come to the conclusion that I should not do so.”
The new charter negotiation process is tinged with political intricacies as the BBC depends on an annual license fee of £145.50 ($210, 184 euros) on all British households who watch live television. This translates to more than £3.7 billion per year.
