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Who actually runs the BBC – and why?

(6 Posts)
absentgrana Mon 19-Nov-12 12:23:26

George Entwhistle was I think the Director General. Chris Patten is Chairman of the BBC Trust, I think. Does anybody know what either of these jobs entails? As Chris Patten has about another 10 jobs, mostly consultancies, and has never actually run anything in his long career of conviviality and fine dining, it would seem that Chairman is not a very onerous position.

Anne58 Mon 19-Nov-12 12:32:20

As I am still currently job hunting, I've half a mind to apply myself, as it would seem that half a mind is all you need! grin

annodomini Mon 19-Nov-12 12:34:40

phoenix - I think that might make you over-qualified! smile

JessM Mon 19-Nov-12 13:18:58

But Chair of BBC is apparently a 3-4 day week job, in theory. Quite a lot for a non-executive role.
I posted somewhere here a couple of weeks back (on the JS thread probably) that Patten had obviously thought it was a sinecure.
Director General is the chief executive/ MD role - day to day management of the business.
Most people in chair-type roles would have been in pretty close contact with a new chief exec in the first couple of months. Even if the excrement had not hit the fan during this period. It seemed as if CP took weeks before he realised he needed to be a bit more involved.

absentgrana Mon 19-Nov-12 13:27:21

JessM I don't see how Chris Patten can do 3–4 days a week at the Beeb if he has all those other jobs to do as well. He says that he rarely watches television and his comments about radio when he was appointed made it clear that he knew very little about BBC radio, so what exactly are his qualifications – apart from being convivial company and knowing good places to lunch?

Mishap Mon 19-Nov-12 13:47:02

These people with their "consultancies" and chairmanships make me want to p""e. They make ridiculous money while others slave away at worthwhile jobs for a pittance. I would not mind so much if they were doing something important and doing it well, but how often is that the case?

Tony Blair and his money-grubbing ways spring to mind. Dear dear!