Dr. Samir Shah, an experienced media executive born in India with over four decades of involvement in UK broadcasting, has been selected by the UK government as its preferred choice for the role of the new chair of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
A recipient of the CBE from Queen Elizabeth II in 2019 for his contributions to television and heritage, the 71-year-old is poised to take over from Richard Sharp, who stepped down amid scrutiny of his interactions with former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Dr. Shah currently holds the position of CEO and owner of Juniper, an independent television and radio production company. His extensive career includes a prior role as the head of current affairs and political programs at the BBC. In 2022, he received the Royal Television Society’s prestigious Outstanding Contribution (Lifetime Achievement) award for journalism.
Throughout his career, Dr. Shah has served in various roles, including as a non-executive director of the BBC, chair of the Museum of the Home from 2014 to 2022, and trustee and deputy chair of the V&A from 2004 to 2014. He also chaired the Runnymede Trust and currently serves as chair of One World Media, in addition to being a member of the Arts and Media Honors Committee.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Dr. Shah stated, “I am delighted to be named the preferred candidate for chair of the BBC,” emphasizing the BBC’s global cultural significance and its role as a powerful soft power tool.
Scheduled for a pre-appointment hearing with the Select Committee, Dr. Shah will undergo scrutiny before the Culture, Media, and Sport Select Committee of Members of Parliament. Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer commended Dr. Shah’s over 40 years of experience in TV production and journalism, expressing confidence in his ability to guide the BBC through the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly changing media landscape.
