BBC Trust

Alex Towers has been appointed as the new Director of the BBC Trust, it has been announced today.

Alex has been at the Trust since May 2009, initially as Head of Finance, Economics and Strategy and then as Deputy Director. Prior to that, his career was in the Civil Service, including at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, where he worked on media policy.

The Director is responsible for leading the Trust Unit and acts as the principal adviser to the Chairman and Trustees.

The current BBC Trust Director, Jon Zeff, who joined in July 2014, will be standing down to pursue other opportunities.

Trust Chairman Rona Fairhead said:

"Alex has impressed all the Trustees with his leadership and his grasp of the issues facing the BBC and the Trust and we all look forward to working with him even more closely in the future.

"I am very grateful to Jon for the support he has provided to me since I became Chairman and for his contribution during a critical period for the BBC Trust. He led the BBC Trust through a change of leadership, prepared the ground for the Trust’s contribution to Charter Review and has overseen the successful delivery of a wide-ranging work programme during 2014/15. I and all the Trustees wish him well for the future."

Notes to editors

1. Alex will be paid a salary of £162,000 per annum. His salary and remuneration will be published as part of the BBC's Annual Report and Accounts. His expenses and hospitality details will be published twice annually alongside those of Trustees.