BBC names interim replacement for outgoing director-general Tim Davie

The BBC board has today confirmed that outgoing director-general (DG) Tim Davie will leave the organisation on April 2, to be replaced on an interim basis by Rhodri Talfan Davies.

Rhodri Talfan Davies

Davies will cover the role until a new permanent appointment is made, the UK public broadcaster said today. He will join the BBC board on February 1 as an executive director, a position he will continue to hold when he assumes the interim DG role on April 3. In addition, Rhuanedd Richards will continue as interim nations director through this period.

Tim Davie resigned as director-general in November, alongside chief executive of news Deborah Turness, amid accusations of political bias aimed at the broadcaster following the airing of an edition of documentary strand Panorama in 2024 that included an edited speech by US president Donald Trump.

In a note to staff, BBC chair Samir Shah said: “There will be a time to celebrate Tim and thank him for his extraordinary contribution to the BBC nearer his departure date. Until then, Tim continues to lead the corporation through this critical period as we prepare our response to the government’s consultation on its Green Paper on the future of the BBC charter.”

He added that Davies is “an outstanding leader who brings deep editorial experience and a passionate commitment to the power of public service broadcasting, to reach and represent audiences across all parts of the UK. I know you will give him your support.”