Deborah Turness Appointed CEO of BBC News

[JamesWorldNews]

[Brekkie]

Seems an excellent appointment and clearly an emphasis on BBC News as a global brand, rather than just part of a UK PSB, in choosing someone with a history of running NBC News and in giving her the CEO title, rather than just "director of news", as Amol is currently explaining on the news channel.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2022/d...t-affairs/

[all new Phil]

Excellent news. Exactly what they need.

[LiamFitz28]

That is a major blow for ITN. Deborah only returned to them in April 2021 but, I guess the job of one of the world's biggest newsrooms was too hard not to go for. Good luck too her.

[Omnipresent]

A short statement from ITN:

https://www.itn.co.uk/press-releases/deb...n-in-2022/

ITN chief executive Deborah Turness is leaving the company in 2022 to take up a new role at the BBC.

Deborah was appointed CEO at ITN in 2021 and has led a major long-term strategic review helping to modernise and future-proof the company. Her leadership has helped ensure ITN’s resilience through the pandemic and that it is well positioned for sustained success in the coming years.

Deborah Turness said: “I’m incredibly proud to have led this fantastic company. ITN is in a great place, and today I’m even more positive and optimistic than I was when I arrived. I will leave knowing that there is a secure and bright future ahead, with a clear strategy for growth.”

Kyla Mullins, Chair of the ITN Board said: “We thank Deborah for her leadership and wish her all the very best in her new position. Deborah will remain as Chief Executive for a time to come as we begin the process of recruiting her successor.”

It looks like the exact timing of Deborah's departure will be subject to when she can be released from her contract.

[Moz]

Wonder if she will start when they rebrand?

[Gibsy]

Who will be her replacement at ITN I wonder? Cristina Nicolotti Squires perhaps? Or is she happy enough at Sky?

[trance]

Wonder if she will start when they rebrand?

The BBC statement says Fran Unsworth finishes at the end of January, so I presume as soon as is contractually possible.

[Toby brown]

Maybe tim davie talked to her about the role at the rts conference in Cambridge. She chaired his session there

[cityprod]

Am I the only one bothered by the fact that they're calling her the CEO of BBC News? It sounds like they're preparing to spin off BBC News into its own separate company.

[Whataday]

Am I the only one bothered by the fact that they're calling her the CEO of BBC News? It sounds like they're preparing to spin off BBC News into its own separate company.

I agree. It's a very sound appointment but the job title is tone deaf to say the least.

[Newsroom]

Am I the only one bothered by the fact that they're calling her the CEO of BBC News? It sounds like they're preparing to spin off BBC News into its own separate company.

I agree. It's a very sound appointment but the job title is tone deaf to say the least.

Commercially it's not. Makes total sense.

Terrible blow for ITN. It's lost two CEOs, both females after such extremely short tenures. Anna Mallett only served 2+ years, and Deborah less than a year.

As I said in the BBC thread, I'm a huge fan of Turness, she'll be fabulous in this role and perhaps restore some of the appalling choices made by her predecessor. That's my opinion anyway.

[mokked]

Brilliant move by the BBC. Turness is excellent and likes to put her mark on things... Expect changes (usually for the better).

I am so glad that she retained the CEO title, as this quite clearly states who is to be in charge. I wouldn't say that they are going to spin off BBC News but it does operate globally.

BBC News is a PSB thing in UK but commercial operation outside our borders covering the globe. She will now run everything from BBC World News right through to North West Tonight and Reporting Scotland

[Whataday]

Am I the only one bothered by the fact that they're calling her the CEO of BBC News? It sounds like they're preparing to spin off BBC News into its own separate company.

I agree. It's a very sound appointment but the job title is tone deaf to say the least.

Commercially it's not. Makes total sense.

I understand how the CEO of News makes commercial sense for a commercial operation, but that's why I think it's not the greatest of titles within an organisation like the BBC, given all the criticisms currently aimed at it.

[Newsroom]

I agree. It's a very sound appointment but the job title is tone deaf to say the least.

Commercially it's not. Makes total sense.

I understand how the CEO of News makes commercial sense for a commercial operation, but that's why I think it's not the greatest of titles within an organisation like the BBC, given all the criticisms currently aimed at it.

I think it's a step forward for the BBC to be using 'CEO' and 'progression' for a corporation often seen as something of the dark ages, She's undertaking BBC News period, including Global News which is a commercial operation so for that very reason I think it makes sense. Also, David Weilland currently holds the title of CEO of BBC Global News so the title actually already exists. Not sure if Deborah Turness arriving means he'll be making an exit or reporting to her.