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BBC Trust Member for Scotland appointed

Bill Matthews has been appointed the BBC Trust Member for Scotland, Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt announced today.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Bill Matthews has been appointed the BBC Trust Member for Scotland, Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt announced today. The appointment is for four years commencing on 1 January 2011.

The BBC Trust is the governing body of the BBC, responsible for representing the interests of licence fee payers. It applies the principle of public value in holding to account the Executive Board, which is responsible for the day-to-day management of the BBC. The Trust also ensures that the BBC’s activities are not anti-competitive and are consistent with a vibrant and dynamic broadcasting market.

Welcoming the appointment Jeremy Hunt said:

“Bill Matthews has a distinguished career and a wealth of experience as an effective board member. I am pleased to welcome him to the BBC Trust, where his extensive knowledge of both the private and public sectors will be a real asset and ensure audiences in Scotland are well represented.”

Bill Matthews is an established Chair and non-executive Director with a variety of public and private sector experience.  He is currently Chair of NHS National Services Scotland, a public member of Network Rail, non-executive Director at the Security Industry Authority and non-executive Director of the Scottish Police Services Authority. His earlier senior executive career (at Director, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director level) was in the electronics and electrical engineering industry. Bill is a former member of the BBC Trust Audience Council for Scotland.

Notes to Editors

  1. The BBC Trust is led by the Chairman and has 11 other members including the Vice-Chairman. All members are responsible for representing the public interest as a whole. The Trust includes four members formally designated as members for each of the constituent nations of the United Kingdom.

  2. The appointment has been made in accordance with the OCPA Code of Practice. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if any declared) to be made public. Bill Matthews has not carried out any significant political activity within the past five years.

  3. The posts at the BBC Trust are remunerated at a level of £41,070 for country members for a two day per week time commitment. Trust members recently agreed to take a voluntary reduction of 8.3 per cent from their fees. The reduced rate for this position is therefore currently £37,660.

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Published 16 December 2010