(December 18, 2023) It was in April 2023 that a political scandal led to the resignation of the former BBC chairman Richard Sharp after he failed to disclose his involvement in arranging a loan of nearly $1 million to former UK PM Boris Johnson. And now months later, Indian-origin media executive Dr Samir Shah is set to take up the position, after being appointed by the UK government.
Delighted to be chosen by the government, Shah said that BBC held a “great place in British life.” In a statement, he said, “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,” he said, adding, “BBC had a unique duty to reach a wide audience right across the country” and promised to do “all I can to ensure it fulfils this in an increasingly competitive market”.
Dr Samir Shah
It’s Dr Samir Shah’s impressive work that made the UK government sit up and take notice of the Indian-origin media executive who worked with the BBC for 11 years in the 80s and 90s. Moreover, in 1999, he was honoured with the Order of the Brirish Empire for his significant contributions to equal opportunities in broadcasting. Recognizing his achievements, he became a Fellow of the Royal Television Society in 2002. Furthermore, in 2019, Shah was bestowed with a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his notable services in the realms of heritage and television.
Born in Aurangabad in 1952, he moved with his family to the UK in 1960 where he went to Latymer Upper School in West London before studying geography at the University of Hull. Keen to expand his knowledge, he pursued further studies in Anthropology and Geography at St Catherine’s College, Oxford, taking a doctorate of Philosophy (DPhil) in 1979.
The same year, he joined London Weekend Television, a pivotal juncture in his career. During this period, he collaborated closely with two influential figures who would significantly impact his professional trajectory: John Birt, who would later assume the role of director-general at the BBC, and Michael Wills, from whom Shah would later acquire Juniper TV. After a successful stint, in 1987, Shah assumed the position of Head of Television Current Affairs at the BBC. His role expanded from 1994 to 1998 when he served as the Head of Political Journalism Programmes at the BBC. In 1998, Shah acquired Juniper TV from Wills, who transitioned to a role as a Member of Parliament. Since then, he has taken on the roles of CEO and Creative Director at Juniper. The company’s productions have been featured on prominent platforms such as the BBC, Channel 4, National Geographic, Discovery, TLC, and Netflix.
In his capacity as BBC chairman, he will assume a part-time position, working three days a week, with an annual salary of £160,000. Shah’s responsibilities will include safeguarding and promoting the interests of the publicly funded license fee-operated public broadcaster, ensuring it meets its mandate to “inform, educate, and entertain.” He will additionally spearhead discussions with the government regarding the outlook of the license fee.
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, adding, “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.”
With a career spanning over 40 years in broadcasting, Dr. Samir Shah is poised to bring a wealth of expertise to his role as the next BBC chairman. His extensive experience positions him as a valuable leader who will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping the future trajectory of the BBC. Dr. Shah’s commitment to the field and his track record in the industry signal a promising era ahead, where his vision and leadership will contribute significantly to the continued success and impact of the renowned public broadcaster.
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