Lettuce

Sometimes you need the strong words and help of outsiders to change things. Equality consultant Jean Farrell was on a panel at the BBC yesterday headlined entitled "The Road to 50% Women in Leadership", and many of the participants had been part of her Women's Development Initiative 15 years ago.

'In my view you can't be a good leader unless you can show real competence around diversity and inclusion, and those who don't should pay the price. There should be no difference between failing to deliver on budget and failing to meet diversity targets. But it's all flopsy bunny when it comes to diversity.'

Amanda Rice, Head of Diversity, also offered a pointed remark "Digital and Strategy is an incredibly important division in terms of shaping the BBC, but all the people at the top of that division are male". Not quite true: James Purnell is Director of Digital & Strategy, and he has one woman on his board - Natasha Adams from HR. Nonetheless, let's see what happens to Jim's £295k salary next year.

• Today is HR Director Lucy Adams' last day in the office - she's on leave till the end of the financial year. She announced her decision to leave six months ago, and there's no sign yet of a replacement. Who's in charge of recruitment, eh ?