The BBC Charter Review Advisory Group

In July 2015, Culture Secretary John Whittingdale established an Advisory Group of experts from across a range of industries to support the BBC Charter Review process.

The advisory group plays an important role in the government’s plans to deliver a transparent, open and democratic Charter Review. Its remit is to provide expertise, innovation and advice for the process and policy of the review of the BBC Royal Charter by:

  • providing strategic independent oversight and challenge to the Charter Review programme of work; and

  • bringing to bear their own personal experience and expertise on the policy debates.

The group takes in representatives from a range of backgrounds, with different experiences and differing views about the BBC. The Advisory Group members are as follows:

  • Dawn Airey – Senior Vice President of Yahoo’s business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and formerly Chairman and Chief Executive of Channel 5.

  • Dame Colette Bowe – Chairman of the Banking Standards Board, President of the Voice of the Listener and Viewer, and former Chair of Ofcom.

  • Andrew Fisher - Executive Chairman at Shazam.

  • Darren Henley OBE – CEO of Arts Council England and former Managing Director of Classic FM.

  • Ashley Highfield – CEO of Johnston Press, one of the largest local media groups in the UK, and former director at the BBC.

  • Alex Mahon – former CEO of Shine Group, global television content production company.

  • Lopa Patel MBE - digital entrepreneur and founder/CEO of NewAsianPost.com and Diversity UK.

  • Stewart Purvis CBE - British broadcaster and academic, and former Editor-in-Chief and CEO of ITN.

Members have been appointed in a voluntary capacity and on the basis of their personal experience, not as representatives of their respective organisations. They will meet up to six times a year, with additional members co-opted as and when required by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.

Read the Group’s Terms of Reference (PDF, 61.3KB, 2 pages)