Bob Shennan has been appointed as the BBC’s group managing director.
In the new role, Shennan will oversee strategy, policy, legal, commercial rights and business affairs. He has been promoted from his role as director, Radio & Music, which he took on in 2016.
One of his last major initiatives in his current job was to oversee the rollout of BBC Sounds.
Shennan will lead in developing and delivering a new strategy for attracting and developing on-air and on-screen talent. The new job will also see him take responsibility for coordinating what the BBC does between its commercial and public service operations.
BBC director-general Tony Hall said: “Bob’s a great leader. He enables people working for him to give their best - and he’s proved time and again in sport, in radio and in music how formidable and collaborative he is.
“I want the BBC to be the best led, best managed and most creative media company in the world. Bob Shennan’s appointment will help deliver just that.”
Bob Shennan said: “I’m really going to miss Radio & Music, but I’m very excited about my new role. Working with colleagues from right across the BBC, I want to play my part in making sure we are the best run, best managed and most creative media organisation in the world."
Shennan will take up his new post next month, and will sit on the executive committee.
He joined the BBC in 1987 and has held a range of senior posts including head of BBC Sport, controller of 5 live, controller of Radio 2 and 6 Music, and director of BBC Music.
The group MD is a new role. The BBC has confirmed that it will not be replacing the role of deputy director-general, following the departure of Anne Bulford.
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