The BBC has announced the reinstatement of the post of deputy director general in the New Year. Mark Byford, currently Director, BBC World Service and Global News, will take up the role.
Byford will have responsibility for a new department that will include the existing editorial policy department and a controller of complaints who has not yet been appointed.
BBC Chairman Gavyn Davies said “It is clear that Britain’s most important public service broadcaster must have the highest standards of editorial compliance. The governors believe that the appointment of Mark Byford, along with the strengthened post-broadcast procedures, will ensure that this is the case.”
Greg Dyke said “As a result of the review we have decided to make a number of internal changes to modernise the complaints system and strengthen our post-broadcast compliance procedures. The most important of these is the appointment of a deputy director general who will take overall responsibility for this area.
“This means the second most important person in the management structure will now have a particular responsibility for compliance and complaints.”
BBC Global News, comprising World Service radio and World television, is a member of the AIB.