Gissajob

How to get your old business chum a job as BBC Deputy Chairman. Here's the just-released full minute from the November 22 meeting of the BBC Nominations Committee, held by video, chaired by Richard Sharp, with Tim Davie and three non-execs presumably all voting in favour. 

4 BBC Deputy Chair

4.1 The Committee considered a proposal recommending to the creation of the role of Deputy Chair of the BBC Board to which the current chair of the BBC Commercial Board, Sir Damon Buffini, be appointed in order to reflect the integral part that BBC Commercial plays in the overall success of the Corporation.

4.2 The Committee noted that where the Charter specified functions to be carried out by the Chairman (e.g. to chair the Nominations Committee, or to tender proposals for terminating the office of a Board member) these could not be carried out by the Deputy Chair (as formally, he or she is simply an ordinary member of the Board);

4.3 In addition, the Charter had specific terms surrounding the appointment of an Acting Chair, should the role of Chairman fall vacant. Article 22(6) specified that in the case of a vacancy in the role of Chairman, the Secretary of State, having consulted with the Board, would appoint one of the non-executive directors as “Acting Chair” while a recruitment round took place. So, while it would be possible for the Deputy Chair to deputise while the Chairman is in office, it would not be automatic than anyone appointed as Deputy Chair would become Acting Chair.

4.4 The Committee discussed the proposal. Committee members agreed that the title was useful in emphasising the role of BBC Studios and the Commercial Board in the BBC as a whole. The Committee agreed the proposal on the basis that; 

• It was only ever held by the Chair of Commercial Board for the purpose of promoting the role of the BBC’s commercial arm.

• It would be reviewed by each new BBC Chairman

• The role of the senior independent director remained the same, and that this would be clarified in the announcement.

4.5 In agreeing the proposal, the Committee noted that it would be important to ensure continuing gender diversity among the non-executives on the Board as part of ongoing succession planning