Governance Row Prompts BBC Board Resignation
The BBC faces renewed instability as board member Shumeet Banerji announced his resignation on Friday 21 November 2025. In his departure letter, Banerji cited significant 'governance issues', specifically stating he was 'not consulted' about the events leading to the resignations of Director General Tim Davie and BBC News chief executive Deborah Turness.
Who's Who on the Revised BBC Board
The BBC board, led by non-executive chair Samir Shah, now comprises nine members. Non-executive directors on this board bear the crucial responsibility of upholding the BBC's independence, acting in the public interest, and exercising independent judgment. They receive a base fee of £33,000 per annum.
The remaining nine board members are:
- Sir Damon Buffini – Deputy chairman and chairman of the BBC commercial board.
- Sir Robbie Gibb – Member for England and former BBC journalist.
- Muriel Gray – Member for Scotland and former broadcaster.
- Chris Jones – Non-executive director and chartered accountant.
- Michael Plaut – Member for Wales and Welsh business leader.
- Michael Smyth – Member for Northern Ireland and former Clifford Chance partner.
- Marinella Soldi – Non-executive director with experience at Italian broadcaster Rai.
- Leigh Tavaziva – Chief operating officer, paid between £465,000 and £469,999 as of July 2025.
- Caroline Thomson – Senior independent director and former BBC chief operating officer.
Background and Wider Implications
Banerji, who had held his position since 2022, is the founder of advisory firm Condorcet and has held numerous high-profile directorships, including at Hewlett Packard. His departure is the latest in a series of high-level exits triggered by the scandal concerning the editing of a speech by US President Donald Trump prior to the 6 January 2021 attack on the US Capitol.
The resignations of Davie and Turness earlier in the month set the stage for this latest governance crisis, raising serious questions about the stability and internal procedures at the heart of the British Broadcasting Corporation.
