Changing Faces

Stephens named Acting Chair of the BBC

Arts Professional
2 min read

Dame ELAN CLOSS STEPHENS has been appointed Acting Chair of the BBC Board by Secretary of State LUCY FRAZER.

She replaces RICHARD SHARP, who resigned in April after an investigation concluded he had broken the code of public appointments by not disclosing he assisted former Prime Minister Boris Johnson with his private financial affairs.

Stephens will remain in post for a twelve-month period or until a permanent Chair is elected. 

Under the BBC’s Charter, an Acting Chair must be an existing non-executive director on the BBC Board. Stephens has been a member of the BBC’s governing body since 2010.

Initially appointed as a Member for Wales of the BBC Trust, she became a Welsh member of the BBC Board following the Trust’s dissolution in 2017. She has been chairing the Wales Committee and has served as Chair of the BBC’s commercial subsidiary from 2019 until last year. 

Her experience chairing extends to other cultural bodies including the British Film Institute (BFI) and British Council, alongside serving as Chair of the UNESCO International Prize for contribution to the creative economy. 

With a professional background in broadcasting, the creative industries and academia, Stephens was Professor of the Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies at Aberystwyth University, where she is now the Pro-Chancellor and Professor Emerita in Communications and Creative Industries. She is the Electoral Commissioner for Wales.

“Elan has been an active and distinguished member of the BBC Board who has brought huge energy and drive to her role as Member for Wales. We are delighted that she is taking up the role as Acting Chair; she is the ideal choice,” a statement from the BBC Board said.

“When she takes over, Dame Elan will provide stability in the leadership of the BBC while a process to appoint a new permanent Chair is run,” Frazer commented.

Stephens called it a “huge honour” to be named acting chair. 

“As a Board, we will champion the licence fee payer across all of the UK; ensure the BBC is a vital partner for the UK creative industries; maintain trust and drive change to make the BBC fit for a fast changing media landscape,” she said.

“There is much work to be done.”