Consiglieri

Just over a week left for applications to be a Non-Executive Director of the BBC - though the BBC does say it's not sure if the role will change or even exist in its current form, as Julian Payne conducts his review of the remains of BBC governance. It's possible he'll discover informed decision-making has actually disappeared down a drain somewhere along Great Portland Street.

The McKinsey BBC team, also with their fingers in the governance pie, are likely to recommend some form of beefed-up core unit - not unlike the old days, when the BBC had a Secretary (company-style) who straddled the relationship between the Executive and the Governors. The Secretary's team made sure proposals and papers were in good shape for discussion and/or approval  - rather than typed out that morning by the DG. Some common support unit, serving both the Executive and The Trust, would also represent a savings opportunity - The Trust costs £12m a year.

The BBC careers website has an entertaining feature which reveals other jobs applicants for the Non-Exec roles are trying for. Lord Hall will be pleased to know he can short-list from people who also believe they would make excellent Talent Managers, Comedy, and Trainee Research Technologists.../