Major BBC Local senior leadership team changes in England

Major changes to the BBC Local senior leadership team in England have been announced by Rhodri Talfan Davies, Director, BBC Nations.

From later this year, there will be six Regional Heads in charge of all production and staff in their area across TV, radio, online and social media.

The new regions are:

• North West and North East England (person to be appointed)
• Yorkshire and Humberside (person to be appointed)
• London and the East (person to be appointed)
• South & South East (interim person to be appointed whilst Jason Horton is Acting Director)
• South West, West and Channel Islands (Steph Marshall)
• The Midlands (Stuart Thomas)

The six regional heads will report to a new Director of Production for BBC Local. They will be responsible for all production across the network of BBC Local services across England and report directly to Rhodri Talfan Davies.

In audio, a reshaped role will lead all audio commissioning across Local Radio and BBC Sounds in England, and from the autumn, the production teams for audio, across all stations, will sit within the regions.

Chris Burns has already been appointed to this commissioning role reporting to Rhodri Talfan Davies and joining the Nations Board.

Because of these changes, the role of Director, England closes, as well as the role of News Controller currently filled by Declan Wilson.

Rhodri Talfan Davies told staff: “Declan Wilson has led our news operation across England with incredible tenacity during a period of intense change and challenge – and I want to thank him today for everything he has contributed.

“Over the coming months, Jason and I have asked him to help us shape the creation of the new investigations team.

“This new structure won’t take effect until the autumn. So, Jason continues as Acting Director, Peter Cook will continue as interim Head of the East & South East and Martyn Weston will continue as interim Head of the North until the end of July.

“I believe these changes will help drive our move to multi-media working – and will support us in building a unique local network that brings together our creative skills across broadcast and mobile services.”