Sir Christopher Bland

Sir Christopher Bland, who was Chairman of the BBC Board of Governors from 1996 to 2001, has died aged 78. The news came in a tweet from his son, Archie, who is a journalist with The Guardian.

Sir Christopher (Sedbergh and Queen's College, Oxford) was appointed to the BBC by John Major. Predecessor Duke Hussey had served two terms; Labour peer Lord Cocks was in place as vice-chairman, so another Tory was needed. Bland had worked as Chairman at LWT, having previously served as deputy chairman of the Independent Broadcasting Authority, despite not having a telly at time of appointment, aged just 34.  His Tory credentials included a spell as chairman of the Bow Group and as GLC member for Lewisham.
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Perhaps his most significant move as Chairman was appointing John Birt's successor. He chose Greg Dyke, another former LWT colleague, and also a Labour party donor. The Board of Governors was split on the appointment; internal candidate Tony Hall, now Lord Hall, came off second.