BBC’s Deputy Director-General Anne Bulford Steps Down; Leaves British Broadcaster After 6 Years

The BBC’s Deputy Director-General Anne Bulford is to leave the British public broadcaster after six years.

Bulford, the corporation’s second in command under Tony Hall, has been Deputy Director-General, overseeing the finance, HR, legal, risk and technology functions of the BBC since June 2016. Prior to that, she was Managing Director, Finance and Operations, starting that role in 2013.

She will leave in the spring of 2019 to pursue a portfolio of non-executive roles. The BBC will set out the next steps for her post in due course.

Before joining the BBC, Bulford was Chief Operating Officer at Channel 4, following a period as interim Chief Executive. She joined Channel 4 as Group Finance Director in June 2005. From 2002 to 2005, she was Director of Finance & Business Affairs at the Royal Opera House.

“Anne has been an inspirational leader. She has brought real insight and determination in bringing change to the BBC. Her achievements at the BBC are many – she has ensured the BBC continues to innovate and deliver hugely popular services to the public. She has vastly improved the BBC’s efficiency to industry leading levels. She has led a transformation in the BBC’s working practices. Anne leaves the BBC a stronger organisation than the one she joined six years ago,” said BBC Director-General Tony Hall. She has been a first-class colleague and an absolute pleasure to work with. I wish her every success for the future.”

Bulford added, “It’s been an honour to be the first woman Deputy Director-General of the BBC and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved since 2013. The BBC is an amazing organisation, with so many talented people. I feel I’m leaving the BBC in a stronger position and I’d like to thank Tony, my colleagues and especially all my teams for their contribution and hard work.”