Indian-Origin Media Veteran Samir Shah Confirmed As New BBC Chairman

Samir Shah will replace Richard Sharp who had been forced to resign after a communication with former prime minister Boris Johnson came under scrutiny.

Samir Shah has worked in broadcasting industry for over 40 years.

India-origin media executive Dr Samir Shah was confirmed as the new BBC chairman on Thursday after his selection cleared the stages of scrutiny to be approved by King Charles III this week, a report in PTI said.

72-year-old Shah, who has worked in broadcasting industry for over 40 years, was picked as the government’s preferred candidate in December last year. However, he was quizzed by cross-party MPs of the House of Commons Media Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee for his pre-appointment scrutiny.

Samir Shah has now been confirmed in the 160,000 pounds per year and four-year term role to take charge as the public broadcaster's first Indian-origin Chair from March 4 and running until March 2028.

“With a career spanning more than 40 years in TV production and journalism, Dr Shah has a wealth of experience to bring to the position of BBC Chair,” UK Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said as she announced his selection, as per PTI.

“He has a clear ambition to see the BBC succeed in a rapidly changing media landscape, and I have no doubt he will provide the support and scrutiny that the BBC needs to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future,” she added.

Shah, who was honoured with a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth II in 2019 for services to television and heritage, will replace Richard Sharp who had been forced to resign after a communication with former prime minister Boris Johnson came under scrutiny.

The government has said that Shah’s knowledge of the British Broadcasting Corporation and his belief in its role as a national broadcaster alongside his extensive work to promote diversity in broadcasting will be invaluable in helping to ensure that the BBC reflects, represents and serves communities across the whole of the UK.

“The BBC is, without doubt, one of the greatest contributions we have made to global culture and one of our strongest calling cards on soft power. If I am able to put what skills, experience, and understanding of public service broadcasting I have built up during my career to help this brilliant organisation meet the complex and diverse challenges it faces over the coming years, it would be an honour,” said Shah.

“The BBC has a great place in British life and a unique duty to reach a wide audience right across the country and I will do all I can to ensure it fulfils this in an increasingly competitive market,” he said.

Born in Aurangabad, Shah came to England in 1960 and has previously been the head of current affairs and political programmes at the BBC.

Before taking up the role as Chair of the BBC, he was the CEO of Juniper – an independent television and radio production company, since 1998.

He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Television Society in 2002 and appointed Visiting Professor of Creative Media at Oxford University in 2019 and the University of Nottingham appointed him to a Special Professorship in the Department of Post-Conflict Studies.

Besides, the Oxford University alumnus is a race relations expert who co-authored the government’s Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities report in 2021.

As Chair, Shah will be responsible for the BBC's board upholding and protecting the independence of the broadcaster and making its decisions in the public interest. PTI AK RUP AKJ RUP RUP