BBC Trust

Ben Bradshaw announces the appointment of a new member to the BBC Trust

Welcoming the appointment, Sir Michael Lyons, BBC Trust chairman said:

"I am delighted that Richard Ayre will be joining the Trust. Audiences rightly expect the highest standards in the BBC's output, and upholding these continues to be a key priority for the Trust. With his formidable professional background, most recently as chair of Ofcom's Broadcasting Review Committee, I am sure Richard will make a valuable contribution to the Trust's work."

Richard Ayre said:

"I'm keen to play a part in ensuring the BBC delivers what licence fee payers have a right to expect from the world’s leading public service broadcaster. And I'm also determined to help protect the BBC's editorial independence from any external pressures."

Richard is replacing Richard Tait, who will step down as Trustee on July 31, 2010.

Sir Michael Lyons added:

"I would also like to take this opportunity to offer my thanks to Richard Tait. Richard has brought a considered and invaluable objectivity to his chairmanship of the Trust's Editorial Standards Committee, leading the Trust's response to some of the most high profile and controversial BBC editorial issues of the past few years. Richard has been passionate about maintaining the standards of BBC journalism, and he brings an energy and enthusiasm to everything he is involved in. He is highly regarded both inside and outside the BBC, and will be much missed by both Trust members and Trust Unit staff alike."

Ends.

Notes to editors

1. DCMS press release: Ben Bradshaw announces the appointment of a new member to the BBC Trust
2. Richard Ayre is currently the Ofcom Content Board member for England and chair of Ofcom’s Broadcasting Review Committee. He will step down from this role in advance of becoming a BBC Trustee. He conducted Ofcom's 2007 inquiry into the misuse of premium rate telephone calls in TV programming. Ayre was formerly the BBC's Controller of Editorial Policy and Deputy Chief Executive of BBC News. After leaving the BBC he worked for seven years on the board of the Food Standards Agency and has been the Law Society's Freedom of Information Adjudicator since 2001. He is a former Chairman of Article 19, the International Campaign for Freedom of Expression, and also of the African Caribbean Reporters' Trust.
3. The appointment is made for four years from 1 August 2010 to 31 July 2014. The post is remunerated at a level of £35,935 per annum, for a two day a week time commitment.
4. The Trust is led by the Chairman, and has 11 other members including the Vice-Chairman. All members are responsible for representing the public interest as a whole. The Trust includes four members formally designated as members for each of the constituent nations of the United Kingdom. Full details of the other Trust members and biographies can be found here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/about/who_we_are/trustees/