Hunters, hunting and hunted

Clearly Kevin Bakhurst, Director of Content at Ofcom, has trodden on somebody's toes at Global, the commercial radio behemoth run by Ashley Tabor. 

Global has pursued Kev's activities in seeking consideration as Director of BBC News via Freedom of Information, suggesting a conflict of interest in his role overseeing the BBC's Operating Licence. Ofcom says the allegations, detailed in today's Telegraph, are 'completely unfounded'. An Ofcom spokesman said: 'We are aware of Global's complaint. To be clear, our Group Director for Broadcasting did not apply for this role and any concerns about a conflict are completely unfounded.'

The timeline, in 2021, looks like this. 

October 8: Emails discovered under FOI show Kevin in contact with the BBC about the vacancy
October 9: It's revealed that headhunters Korn Ferry are seeking candidates for a new Director of News

October 9: This blog includes Kevin in its list of obvious runners and riders
October 12: Kevin meets a recruiter from Korn Ferry

October 20: Ofcom main board discuss changes in requirements imposed on the BBC, in a report prepared by Kevin: 

Kevin Bakhurst gave the example of the Operating Licence which currently included 110 quotas on the BBC. Many of those quotas had been required to be included in the first Operating Licence under the Charter and Agreement. A move to a cross-platform approach to regulation including iPlayer and BBC Sounds in the Operating Licence could see the BBC being offered more flexibility about how it delivered on its Mission and Public Purposes across the platforms.

October 22: Kevin sends his cv by email to the BBC

October 30: The Mail says that Kevin has become a leading contender for the job, risking a 'bias row' 

November 25: Ofcom publishes 4th BBC Annual Report

January 6: Deborah Turness appointed CEO BBC News