BBC announces George Entwistle as new director general
BBC has announced that George Entwistle will be the new director general.
Currently head of BBC Vision, he will earn £450,000 per year in his new role when he takes over from Mark Thompson in autumn.
This follows a second round of interviews.
More to follow.
Updated: Announcing the appointment, BBC Trust Chairman Lord Patten said: "George is a creative leader for a creative organisation.
"His experience of making and delivering great programmes that audiences love - built up through many years of working for the Corporation - will prove invaluable as he and his team work to ensure the BBC remains the greatest broadcaster in the world.
"Above all George is passionate about the BBC, is committed to its public service ethos and has a clear vision for how it can harness the creativity and commitment of its staff to continue to serve audiences in ever more innovative ways."
George Entwistle has been with the BBC since 1989 when he joined as a broadcast journalism trainee, and will now be the 15th director general.
His appointment was decided this morning at a full meeting of the BBC Trust.
Entwistle said: "I'm delighted that the Chairman and Trustees have decided I'm the right person for the job. And I'm very excited about all that lies ahead. I love the BBC and it's a privilege to be asked to lead it into the next stage of its creative life."
Mark Thompson added: "I think this is a brilliant appointment. George has shown himself to be an outstanding leader with an intuitive understanding of public sector broadcasting. He has a formidable track record as a programme maker and in recent years has also shown his calibre as a leader. I wish him and the BBC every success in the years to come."