Category: ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½
Date: 19.10.2004
Printable version
Dame Pauline Neville-Jones, the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s International Governor since January
1998, has decided to stand down from the Board of Governors a year early
to enable her successor to be appointed in advance of the final phase
of Charter renewal decisions later next year.
Dame Pauline Neville-Jones said: "As the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ approaches the final phase
of decisions about its future, it will be important for those involved
to be established in post and ready to take responsibility for implementation
of the outcome.
"I am due to retire from the Board at what will be a crucial period
of discussions and decisions about the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s future.
"I therefore believe the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ would be better served to have a
new International Governor in place well in advance of December 2005
to provide continuity throughout the final phase of the Charter renewal
process.
"I am sorry to be leaving the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½. I have enjoyed a fascinating seven
years at the Corporation and am particularly proud to have played a
small part in the development of the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s Global News services, ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½
World Service and ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ World.
"The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s television, radio and online services remain an important
part of British culture and the fact the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ continues to thrive amongst
audiences at home and abroad is testament to a professional and dedicated
management team who are committed to providing a quality public service.
"My colleagues on the Board work hard to represent the public
interest and I am confident that, once the modernising changes in governance
are implemented in full, the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s Board of Governors will be properly
recognised as the right force to defend the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s independence and ensure
the public receives real value for its licence fee."
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Chairman, Michael Grade, said: "On behalf of the Board of Governors,
I would like to record our thanks to Pauline Neville-Jones for seven
years of devoted service to the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½.
"During her time on the Board, the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ has benefited from Pauline's
vast intellect and deep wisdom on a whole range of important issues,
including governance, the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s independence, and ensuring the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ provides
value for money to licence payers.
"She has been an outstanding champion of ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ World Service and
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ World and an effective Chairman of the Audit Committee.
"We will miss Pauline's unwavering belief in the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½."
Richard Sambrook, Director of World Service and Global News, said:
"The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ World Service and international news services have been very
fortunate to have the support and dedication of Dame Pauline for the
last seven years.
"With her experience and judgement she has made an enormous contribution
to the World Service which, under her guidance, is as strong as it has
ever been."
Notes to Editors
Dame Pauline has written to Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State for Culture,
Media and Sport, to resign with effect from 31 December 2004.
Dame Pauline Neville-Jones DCMG was appointed a ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Governor on 1 January
1998.
Following her re-appointment in December 2003 for a further two years,
Dame Pauline was due to retire from the Board in December 2005.
Dame Pauline was Chairman of the Audit Committee from 1998: she stood
down from that position in September 2004 and Sir Robert Smith was appointed
interim Chairman.
She is Chairman of the Governors' World Service Consultative Group
and a member of the Remuneration Committee.
She has also been a member of the Governors' Programme Complaints Committee.
The Department for Culture, Media & Sport is responsible for appointments
to the Board of Governors and will soon begin the process of appointing
a successor to Dame Pauline Neville-Jones using the established Nolan
procedures.
She is Chairman of QinetiQ Group plc and of the Information Assurance
Advisory Council.
