Rhodri Talfan Davies gets Deputy DG role at the BBC

BBC editorial strategy across radio, television and online will now be led by Rhodri Talfan Davies.

He has been appointed Deputy Director General following what has been described as a competitive internal recruitment process, taking up the role with immediate effect.

Rhodri will work as Matt Brittin’s second in command, with responsibility for shaping and delivering the BBC’s editorial strategy and protecting public trust in the Corporation.

Rhodri Talfan Davies served as interim Director General after Tim Davie’s departure, before Matt Brittin’s arrival at the BBC.

The BBC says the role will include driving editorial standards across all output, as well as making sure the organisation responds quickly to editorial and operational issues.

Rhodri will also serve on both the BBC Executive Committee and BBC Board.

Matt Brittin said: “Rhodri was the outstanding choice among several very strong candidates. He is a trusted, experienced leader.”

Matt added that Rhodri is “steeped in the BBC’s public service mission” while sharing his ambition to reinvent the BBC for the future.

Rhodri has worked at the BBC for more than 28 years in a range of roles. Most recently, he was Director of the BBC’s Nations division, with Rhuanedd Richards continuing to lead Nations as interim Director.

Rhodri said he was “honoured” to have been appointed, adding that he was looking forward to working across the organisation to uphold the BBC’s values across its services.