BBC Deputy Director General Mark Byford To Exit In 2011

Mark Byford

Deputy Director General MARK BYFORD will leave the BBC in APRIL after 32 years with the company, as the network tries to cut back on senior management.  BYFORD, whose position will not be filled, headed the BBC's journalism efforts.  BBC NEWS Director HELEN BOADEN will take BYFORD's place on the executive board.

Director General MARK THOMPSON said, "We have concluded -- and MARK fully accepts -- that the work he has done to develop our journalism and editorial standards across the BBC has achieved the goals we set to such an extent that the role of deputy director general can now end, that the post should close at the end of the current financial year, and that MARK himself should be made redundant."

In an e-mail to BBC staff, BYFORD said, "Closing my post will be an important contribution at executive board level to achieving the overall goals of the senior management review in the coming year and I fully support the decision."

In addition, BBC NORTH Director PETER SALMON, Head of Marketing and Communications SHARON BAYLAY and Human Resources Director LUCY ADAMS are stepping down from the BBC's executive board but will remain in their positions. 

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