Coherent

Never riddled with self-doubt for long, outgoing BBC Deputy Director General Mark Byford pulled himself together for his farewell (first farewell ?) interview with staff magazine Ariel.

 "I brought journalism together across the BBC in the most coherent way that's been in the 30 years that I've been here. I've mentored and inspired editors to do brilliant work. I've recruited some fantastic people, and in pressurised times I help out, if not lead.  I am happy to take any criticism but the question 'what does he do?' or  'it was never a job in the first place' is utter nonsense."

I can find no record of a Deputy Director General post at the BBC before 1987, when John Birt was brought in from LWT to shore up the accountant Michael Checkland.   Up until then, most DG's had some journalistic pedigree, and relished the role of editor-in-chief.   The function of trying to corral the various news and current affairs output that had sprung up around the corporation was first visited on Glamorgan's Alan Hackford Protheroe CBE, TD, DL, known as "The Colonel", in 1980. He stepped up from Editor TV News, to be Assistant Director BBC News & Current Affairs - then the post of Assistant Director General was created for him in 1982.  He left to run SSVC, providing forces' broadcasting, to make way for Birt - who's arrival at the BBC had been telegraphed by some 21 months.