BBC appoints new acting chair following Richard Sharp resignation

Dame Elan Closs Stephens has been appointed as the acting chairwoman of the BBC after Richard Sharp resigned earlier this year.

Mr Sharp stepped down in April after a report found he had breached the governance code for public appointments by failing to disclose his role in getting then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson a £800,000 loan guarantee.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport announced on Friday, that Dame Elan will lead the BBC board from June 27 for 12 months, or until a new permanent chair has been appointed, whichever is sooner.

Dame Elan has been a member of the BBC’s governing body since 2010, first serving as member for Wales on the BBC Trust and then as the Welsh member of the BBC board.

She has been the chairwoman of the Wales committee, and from 2019 to 2022 also served as chairwoman of the BBC’s commercial subsidiary.

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said: “I am pleased that Dame Elan will take up the position of Acting Chair of the BBC and has the unanimous support of the Board.

“When she takes over, Dame Elan will provide stability in the leadership of the BBC while a process to appoint a new permanent Chair is run.”

Following her appointment, Dame Elan said: “It’s a huge honour to be appointed by the Secretary of State as acting chair and I am grateful to my fellow board members for putting their trust in me.

“As a board, we will champion the licence fee-payer across all of the UK; ensure the BBC is a vital partner for the UK creative industries; maintain trust and drive change to make the BBC fit for a fast changing media landscape.

“There is much work to be done.”

Under the BBC’s Charter an acting chairperson must be an existing non-executive director on the BBC board.

In its own statement, the BBC board, which was consulted before the appointment in line with the corporation’s charter, said: “Elan has been an active and distinguished member of the BBC board who has brought huge energy and drive to her role as member for Wales.

“We are delighted that she is taking up the role as acting chair - she is the ideal choice.”