Succession planning

Ben Fenton of the FT has the runners and riders for the BBC Trust Chairman Stakes, and, he believes, and the major hurdle they'll all face at the interview panel.  Ben reckons the big question for the candidates is "Who'll follow Mark Thompson as DG ?"

Mark himself will find this a bit previous.  I'm guessing he'll stay in post until at least the Olympics, when he'll be 55.  He'll want to enjoy some of the six-year licence fee deal - and see how the land lies with a new Chairman, ideally running a much less interventionist Trust.  Our Mark's main problem for the start of 2011 is to find a new head of BBC Vision.   Insiders at Television Centre want George Entwistle, currently minding the shop, as their long-term protector; his specialism, in "knowledge", is flavour of the month with the DG.   I'm still hoping for a more radical organisational change; if that doesn't happen, Mark may still opt for a sharp outsider to carry out  the budget surgery that will be needed over the next year.  

This bit is for Lord Patten's ears only. Chris, you're presumably curtailing Xmas dinner to mug up on broadcasting matters. So, the BBC will need a DG with an understanding of journalism and politics after Thommo goes.  Inside, that means only Caroline Thomson and Helen Boaden are really in play; outside, we've occasionally looked at Fleet Street in the past - and might want to watch James Harding at The Times and Tony Gallagher at The Telegraph. There's time.  If they push you further, just talk about process - you'll be in the middle of one, after all.