BBC Appoints India-Born Media Veteran Dr. Samir Shah as New Chairman
Dr. Samir Shah, an Indian-born media executive with over four decades of experience in UK broadcasting, has been selected as the preferred candidate by the UK government to assume the role of the new BBC chairman. The 71-year-old, who received a CBE from Queen Elizabeth II in 2019 for contributions to television and heritage, is set to succeed Richard Sharp. Sharp resigned following scrutiny of his communications with former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Shah will now be quizzed by cross-party MPs of the House of Commons Media Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee for pre-appointment scrutiny before formally taking charge. "With a career spanning more than 40 years in TV production and journalism, Dr Shah has a wealth of experience to bring to the position of BBC Chair", UK Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said, confirming the selection as per the appointment process.
The minister said Shah's knowledge of the British Broadcasting Corporation and his belief in its role as a national broadcaster alongside his extensive work to promote diversity in broadcasting will be invaluable in helping to ensure that the BBC reflects, represents and serves communities across the whole of the UK. "The BBC is, without doubt, one of the greatest contributions we have made to global culture and one of our strongest calling cards on soft power", Shah said.
"If I am able to put what skills, experience, and understanding of public service broadcasting I have built up during my career to help this brilliant organization meet the complex and diverse challenges it faces over the coming years, it would be an honour", he added. "The BBC has a great place in British life and a unique duty to reach a wide audience right across the country and I will do all I can to ensure it fulfills this in an increasingly competitive market", Shah further said.
Born in Aurangabad, Dr. Samir Shah arrived in England in 1960. He has previously held the position of head of current affairs and political programs at the BBC. As the CEO and proprietor of Juniper, an independent television and radio production company, Shah also served as a non-executive director of the BBC from 2007 to 2010. In addition to his role as an Oxford University alumnus, Shah is recognized as a race relations expert and was a co-author of the government's Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities report in 2021.
In a more recent development, Dr. Samir Shah was appointed as one of the three members of a panel established by the government to conduct an independent review of the disturbances that occurred in Leicester last year. These disturbances arose as community groups clashed following an India-Pakistan cricket match. Assuming the role of BBC chairman, a position demanding three days a week, with an annual salary of GBP 160,000, Shah will bear the responsibility of safeguarding and preserving the taxpayer-funded license fee-operated public broadcaster. His duty includes ensuring that the BBC fulfills its mission to inform, educate, and entertain.
