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 | Today Programme Report - Text Only Version ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 4 |
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| 2nd AprilÌý2004 New ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Chairman Former Channel 4 boss Michael Grade will be confirmed as the new ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ chairman on Friday. The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ will confirm on Friday that former Channel 4 Chief, Michael Grade, will be confirmed as the new Chairman. He replaces former Chairman, Gavyn Davies who resigned following criticism of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ by Lord Hutton. His appointment comes at a crucial time for the corporation, in the run-up to the Royal Charter renewal. The currentÌýCharter is due to expire on 31 December 2006. Ìý Mr Grade, 61, was seen as a favourite to secure the position despite is ‘maverick’ reputation. Many thought his 30 year media career, formerly as a ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ controller, then as head of Channel 4 would stand him in good stead. The shortlisted candidates were interviewed last week by an independent panel, headed by a civil servant, which then sent a recommendation to Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell. ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ media correspondent Torin Douglas said the selection of Grade would not be seen as the choice of a "safe pair of hands". The former Director of ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ television will now have to appoint a new Director General to replace Greg Dyke. However it isÌýunclear how the role of Chairman will evolve. There was much speculation in the wake of the Hutton Report suggesting the role of the chairman and the governors as both champions of the corporations and its regulators could not continue. Candidates Grade will replace acting Chairman Lord Ryder, who recently announced he would retire from the Board of Governors completely later in the year. Also among the candidates for the post - which offers £81,320 for a four-day week - were ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ broadcaster David Dimbleby and former Panorama presenter Lord Watson. Background He comes from a showbusiness family, having television mogul Lord Grade, a pioneer of ITV, as his uncle and his father was a theatrical agent. He started his career in 1960 as a cub reporter on the Daily Mirror, where he became sports columnist in 1964. Two years later he moved out of print journalism to become a theatrical agent with the Grade organisation. His career in television took off in 1973 when he was made deputy controller of entertainment programmes at LWT. His links with the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ date back to 1984 when he joined as controller, going on to become ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ TV's Director of programmes in 1986. As ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ One Controller in the 1980s, he commissioned top-rating soap EastEnders - but axed sci-fi favourite Doctor Who. In 1988 he became Chief Executive of Channel 4. During his eight-year reign the channel enjoyed a growth in its share of viewers. During his time as chief executive of Channel 4, Grade was not afraid of controversy, being labelled "pornographer-in-chief" by the Daily Mail. Grade left Channel 4 to become Chief Executive of First Leisure, a post he held until 1999 - when he became Chairman of Pinewood-Shepperton Limited. A former Director of the Millennium Dome project, Grade was made a CBE in 1998. He is currently the Chairman of Camelot, the lottery operator. Grade also applied and was shortlisted in 2001 before then vice-chairman Davies was selected. Some commentators have said he is too experienced, because the Chairman's role is not to run the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ day- to-day. Your Thoughts Is he the best man for the job? The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ is not responsible for external websites |
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