A former Google executive, Matt Brittin, officially assumed office as the new director-general of the BBC on Monday amid planned job cuts and a multi-billion-dollar lawsuit filed by Donald Trump.
Brittin, 57, succeeds Tim Davie, who resigned in November following controversy surrounding the Trump lawsuit.
The British executive, who previously served as president of Google’s Europe, Middle East and Africa division for more than a decade, has no prior broadcasting or journalism experience. He also formerly worked with McKinsey & Company.
Arriving at the BBC’s headquarters in London for his first day, Brittin was met by protesters from the National Union of Journalists amid concerns over proposed staff reductions.
The BBC has announced plans to cut up to 2,000 jobs as part of efforts to reduce operating costs by 10 per cent over the next three years.
In a message to staff, Brittin described himself as “honoured” and “humbled” to take on the role, while acknowledging that “tough choices are unavoidable as we make savings.”
He also stressed the need for the corporation to adapt quickly to changes in the global media landscape.
“We must be where audiences are, and experiment more bravely: test ideas, learn quickly and back what works,” he said.
The new director-general also faces the challenge of renegotiating the BBC’s Royal Charter, which defines the broadcaster’s governance structure and expires next year.
The broadcaster has been under financial pressure as declining numbers of UK households pay the television licence fee, traditionally one of its major revenue sources.
Trump’s lawsuit against the BBC centres on a documentary that allegedly used an edited clip of his speech before the January 2021 US Capitol riot, making it appear he directly encouraged supporters to attack Congress.
The BBC has denied wrongdoing and earlier sought dismissal of the case in a US federal court in Florida.
The corporation has also faced criticism this year over editorial controversies, including complaints linked to the documentary Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone.
Brittin said the BBC had repeatedly reinvented itself throughout its history and insisted the organisation now needed to move with “urgency”, “velocity” and “clarity” to remain relevant.