BBC Names Rhodri Talfan Davies As Deputy Director General

The BBC has announced Rhodri Talfan Davies as its deputy director general.

The British national broadcaster said Talfan Davies, the director of nations, had been appointed after an internal recruitment process.

He was widely tipped for the role after spending a number of weeks as caretaker director general when Tim Davie stepped down earlier in April. Davie was succeeded by former Google executive Matt Brittin last month.

Talfan Davies, whose spell as interim boss will be remembered for him informing staff of 2,000 job cuts, becomes the BBC’s first deputy DG since Anne Bulford left in 2019.

He will be responsible for shaping and delivering the BBC’s editorial strategy, as well as safeguarding the public’s trust in the corporation. A 28-year veteran at the BBC, he is very much the insider to Brittin’s outsider.

Brittin said: “Rhodri was the outstanding choice among several very strong candidates. He is a trusted, experienced leader – the BBC’s values seem woven into his DNA. I’ve got to know him myself in recent months and I’ve seen at first-hand how invaluable his judgment, breadth of experience and sense of purpose are to this organisation.”

Talfan Davies added: “I’m honoured to have been appointed deputy director general. The BBC is a beacon of trust and excellence for millions of people here in the UK and globally.”