The search for a new BBC Director-General has taken an unexpected turn, with Kevin Bakhurst, the current director-general of Irish broadcaster RTE, emerging as a surprising contender for the role.
An Unexpected Candidate Emerges
This development follows BBC chairman Samir Shah confirming the corporation is officially in 'search mode' after Tim Davie announced his resignation from the prestigious position. The hunt for a successor has put the spotlight on candidates with strong editorial backgrounds, particularly after a damning internal report criticised the BBC for having 'serious and systemic' bias in its coverage.
At 59 years old, Kevin Bakhurst brings a wealth of relevant experience. His career began at the BBC in 1989, where he remained for an impressive 23 years. During his tenure, the Cambridge graduate, who was raised in Hertfordshire, climbed the ranks to hold several senior editorial positions, including controller of the BBC News Channel and deputy head of the newsroom.
A Career Built on Editorial Standards
After his long stint at the BBC, Bakhurst moved to regulator Ofcom. In this role, he was directly responsible for enforcing and developing the editorial standards that UK broadcasters, including the BBC, must follow. This regulatory experience gives him a unique perspective on the challenges facing public service broadcasting.
In 2023, he took the helm at RTE, tasked with cleaning up the Irish national broadcaster after it was rocked by a series of scandals, most notably concerning excessive payments to its top television talent. Bakhurst won significant praise for his decisive action, announcing that no one signing a new contract at RTE could be paid more than his own €250,000 salary (approximately £220,000).
Why Bakhurst Fits the Bill
A BBC insider revealed to the Mail that Bakhurst has 'many admirers in Broadcasting House' for the way he stabilised RTE. The source stated, 'Many feel that is exactly what the BBC needs.' They highlighted his first-hand experience with public scrutiny and negotiating with politicians for funding, noting 'There are very few people with that level of experience and he is one of them.'
His interest in the BBC remains evident. As recently as Tuesday, he shared a report about the corporation on his LinkedIn, adding the comment, 'Just a reminder of the reality - and what's at stake here.' When directly asked if he would be interested in the top BBC job, Bakhurst did not rule himself out, instead stating, 'I have a job to do here at RTE with great people, which I am really enjoying.'
Other names being touted for the £540,000-a-year role include the BBC's former content chief Charlotte Moore and TV production mogul Jane Turton. However, Bakhurst's combination of deep BBC roots, regulatory insight, and recent success in managing a public broadcaster through crisis makes him a compelling dark horse candidate.
