Aye aye

The preferred candidate for the first Chair of the BBC Board will be selected by a panel led by Public Appointments Assessor Sir Peter Spencer, KCB.

Sir Peter followed father Harry into the Royal Navy, leaving Brighton and Hove High School for the Britannia Royal Naval College at Dartmouth at just 17. From the Navy, he took an engineering degree at Queen's College, Cambridge from 1967-70.  His ships included HMS Abdiel, Torquay and Bristol. His appointments included Controller of the Navy, Second Sea Lord and Commander in Chief Naval Home Command. He "initiated fundamental re-design of Navy’s personnel management system to enhance operational capability of all front line units and improve retention of key skill groups. This included major improvements in quality and efficiency of Royal Naval training, and simplified personnel processes".

He was appointed KCB in June 2001. He and his wife Lisa live in Beckington, Somerset - not far from The Forester's.  He lists interests as music, books, theatre and cinema and sport, especially sailing, cricket and rugby.