BBC begins search for new director general after Tim Davie's exit – who are the contenders?

Turbulent times are ahead for the BBC as the search for the next director general begins following Tim Davie’s resignation, which came after the corporation broadcast a doctored version of Donald Trump’s Jan 6 speech that the White House condemned as misleading.

With questions over bias dominating headlines and key funding talks approaching, BBC chair Samir Shah has urged a “smooth transition” as he begins the search for Davie’s successor, according to the Guardian.

The BBC is under pressure on several fronts. Its news output is facing backlash and its audience habits are shifting. The next director general will need both a newsroom background and strong commercial experience. This has shaped a developing list of front-runners, some familiar from the last recruitment round and others newly in contention who could replace Davie, now the former director who served for over 20 years in BBC.

Alex Mahon

One of the most talked-about names is former Channel 4 chief executive Alex Mahon, who was previously approached about the job but chose not to take part in the final shortlist. Mahon recently left Channel 4 after nearly eight years in charge, becoming the broadcaster’s first female chief executive and leading it through threats of privatisation, major restructuring and crises including the Russell Brand scandal. She has now become chief executive of Superstruct, a private equity-backed live entertainment company that runs events such as Boardmasters in Cornwall. The question is whether the chance to become the BBC’s first female director general would tempt her to leave her new role.

Charlotte Moore

Charlotte Moore, the BBC’s former director of content, was also a finalist last time. She oversaw a budget of £1 billion and helped deliver huge hits such as The Great British Bake Off, Luther and Bodyguard. Moore has recently taken over as chief executive of Left Bank Pictures, the Sony-owned studio behind The Crown. Her return to the BBC is considered possible but not guaranteed, given the timing of her new position.

Jay Hunt

Jay Hunt, currently creative director for worldwide video and Europe at Apple TV Plus, is another strong contender. She has held senior positions at Channel 4, Channel 5 and the BBC, including editing the BBC’s flagship news programmes and later running BBC One. At Channel 4, she orchestrated the high-profile acquisition of The Great British Bake Off from the BBC, and at Apple she has overseen successes including Slow Horses. Her mix of news, entertainment and international streaming experience makes her stand out.

Carolyn McCall

ITV boss Carolyn McCall is said to be weighing up her future while exploring a possible sale of ITV’s television business to Comcast. She was approached for the BBC role previously and remains highly regarded, but after almost eight demanding years at ITV she may be reluctant to take on another exhausting challenge.

Honourable mentions

Several names that surfaced in past searches are being discussed again. All3Media chief Jane Turton and former Sky executive Sophie Turner Laing were both approached previously. Turner Laing now leads the National Film and Television School’s board and has not held a major executive post in recent years, which could work against her.

The 2020 shortlist also featured Will Lewis, now chief executive of the Washington Post. Allegations linked to the phone-hacking scandal, which he denies, are seen as making him a high-risk option for the BBC. Another former finalist, Doug Gurr, the one-time head of Amazon’s UK operations, currently serves as the interim chair of the Competition and Markets Authority.