The British Government announced on 2 April that Michael Grade has been appointed BBC Chairman for four years from 17 May 2004.
Welcoming the appointment Richard Ryder, Acting BBC Chairman, said: “The Board of Governors warmly welcomes the appointment of Michael Grade. We are delighted that he will be the BBC’s new Chairman and we look forward to working closely with him. He will find a united Board which is optimistic about the future. The Board is conscious of the importance of the tasks it will tackle under his leadership, including Charter Review, the appointment of the Director-General, the Graf Review of bbc.co.uk, the first stage of the Ofcom PSB review and the DCMS reviews of new services.
Mark Byford, Acting Director-General, said: “Michael Grade is one of the major world figures in broadcasting and the wider creative industry, with an outstanding record of achievement. He has a deep understanding of broadcasting, and firmly believes in the BBC and its place at the heart of national life. He is passionate about creativity, talent and ambition in programmes. That is why everyone in the BBC will warmly welcome this exciting appointment. It’s great that Michael is coming back to the BBC and he will enjoy the full support of the whole organisation.”
Michael Grade said: “This is quite a day for me. Apart from my obvious pride and delight, I also feel my experience has prepared me to step into the role at a difficult moment in the Corporation’s history. I would like to thank those who appointed me for having the courage to break the mould. I would also like to pay tribute to my predecessor, Gavyn Davies, who gave so much to support the ideals of the Corporation and who showed great courage and dignity in the manner of his departure. The editorial independence of the BBC is paramount in maintaining the support of the viewers and listeners. Without it, there is no point to the BBC. It is my job, and the job of the whole board, to ensure that the BBC can continue to earn public and parliamentary support so that the provision of universally available, value for money, public service broadcasting is neither jeopardised nor marginalised. Nothing must be allowed to deprive our children and our grandchildren of the rich experience we have come to expect and enjoy these past decades from the British Broadcasting Corporation.”