BBC faces sexism row after appointing a 17th consecutive man as director-general

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BBC faces sexism row after appointing a 17th consecutive man as director-general: Carrie Gracie says it’s ‘disappointing’ that new boss Tim Davie is not a woman

  • The BBC’s ex-China editor says Davie is white, male, Oxbridge and ‘not diverse’
  • She was joined by broadcaster Joan Bakewell in calling for a woman in the role
  • Tim Davie will take over the BBC director-general role in September this year 

By Paul Revoir Media Editor For The Daily Mail

Published: | Updated:

The BBC faced a backlash yesterday for once again appointing a man as director-general.

Tim Davie is the 17th person to be given the role, which has never been held by a woman.

Critics claimed handing the top job to another ‘white man’ was evidence of a ‘glass ceiling’ .

Broadcaster Carrie Gracie, the ex-China editor who fought the BBC over equal pay, said: ‘It would have been right to have a woman now. It is disappointing.’ 

The BBC faced a backlash yesterday for appointing Tim Davie as director-general, the 17th man in a row to hold the position

Broadcaster Carrie Gracie, the ex-China editor who fought the BBC over equal pay, says Mr Davie 'is white, male and Oxbridge. He¿s not diverse'

Broadcaster Carrie Gracie, the ex-China editor who fought the BBC over equal pay, says Mr Davie ‘is white, male and Oxbridge. He’s not diverse’

She told The Guardian: ‘I do feel Tim understands the challenges of the BBC… but obviously he is white, male and Oxbridge. He’s not diverse.’

Veteran broadcaster Joan Bakewell added: ‘Of course I would like a woman to do it and you can’t believe there aren’t women that could do it.’

Concerns have also been raised about former PepsiCo marketing executive Mr Davie’s lack of editorial experience. 

Many predecessors were from a news background. 

Veteran broadcaster Joan Bakewell says: ¿Of course I would like a woman to do it and you can¿t believe there aren¿t women that could do it¿

Veteran broadcaster Joan Bakewell says: ‘Of course I would like a woman to do it and you can’t believe there aren’t women that could do it’

Concerns have also been raised about former PepsiCo marketing executive Mr Davie¿s lack of editorial experience

Concerns have also been raised about former PepsiCo marketing executive Mr Davie’s lack of editorial experience 

But Mr Davie, currently chief executive of the corporation’s commercial arm, is a popular figure among staff with an appetite for reform. 

And he was acting director-general for four months in 2012,

He is taking the helm at a turbulent time with issues including equal pay, competition from streaming rivals and a potential decriminalisation of non-payment of the TV licence.

Mr Davie, who will be paid £525,000, yesterday said in a statement he had a ‘deep commitment to content of the highest quality and impartiality’. 

He begins in September.