London -- The BBC has named Robert Webb non-executive chairman of BBC Worldwide, taking over from Etienne de Villiers, who stepped down this year.
Webb, who was general counsel of British Airways for more than a decade and has nonexecutive experience at the London Stock Exchange and software firm Autonomy, will take over at a critical juncture in the life of the BBC's commercial arm, overseeing the terms of any possible spinoff.
He also will have to decide whether BBC Worldwide should review its aggressively commercial investment strategy in independent production companies, global networks and non-BBC0-related brands like travel guide firm Lonely Planet.
The appointment follows an overhaul of revamp of BBC Worldwide's governance structure last month, which introduced an element of independence between the BBC's executive board and BBC Worldwide.
Webb is a nonexecutive on the BBC's executive board under BBC director general Mark Thompson.
"(Webb's) extensive...
Webb, who was general counsel of British Airways for more than a decade and has nonexecutive experience at the London Stock Exchange and software firm Autonomy, will take over at a critical juncture in the life of the BBC's commercial arm, overseeing the terms of any possible spinoff.
He also will have to decide whether BBC Worldwide should review its aggressively commercial investment strategy in independent production companies, global networks and non-BBC0-related brands like travel guide firm Lonely Planet.
The appointment follows an overhaul of revamp of BBC Worldwide's governance structure last month, which introduced an element of independence between the BBC's executive board and BBC Worldwide.
Webb is a nonexecutive on the BBC's executive board under BBC director general Mark Thompson.
"(Webb's) extensive...
- 9/30/2009
- by By Mimi Turner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
London -- BBC Worldwide chairman Etienne de Villiers will step down at the end of the month after almost three years in the role overseeing the pubcaster's commercial arm, it was announced Monday.
De Villiers, who was president of Walt Disney International between 1986 and 2000 and was executive chairman of tennis body the Atp World Tour between 2004 and 2007, had been chairman and non-executive director of BBC Worldwide since January 2006.
De Villiers and BBC Worldwide chief executive John Smith led a program of controversial expansion into commercial markets including the acquisition of the Lonely Planet travel guide and expansion of the BBC Worldwide's publishing and local production operations.
Such moves are likely to come under increasing scrutiny, and have already earned the corporation Parliamentary rebukes as well as criticism from rivals.
BBC director general Mark Thompson said de Villiers had been responsible for growing Worldwide's bottom line and delivering cash back...
De Villiers, who was president of Walt Disney International between 1986 and 2000 and was executive chairman of tennis body the Atp World Tour between 2004 and 2007, had been chairman and non-executive director of BBC Worldwide since January 2006.
De Villiers and BBC Worldwide chief executive John Smith led a program of controversial expansion into commercial markets including the acquisition of the Lonely Planet travel guide and expansion of the BBC Worldwide's publishing and local production operations.
Such moves are likely to come under increasing scrutiny, and have already earned the corporation Parliamentary rebukes as well as criticism from rivals.
BBC director general Mark Thompson said de Villiers had been responsible for growing Worldwide's bottom line and delivering cash back...
- 9/7/2009
- by By Mimi Turner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.