Who actually runs the BBC – and why?

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!

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?

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.

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

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!