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The BBC has named senior executive Rhodri Talfan Davies as its interim director general, as the corporation continues the search for a permanent replacement for Tim Davie.
Davie, who resigned in November after the row over the BBC’s editing of a Donald Trump speech, will remain in the role until the start of April. Talfan Davies will then take over.
However, he will join the BBC board from the start of February as an executive director, as he prepares to step up and take on Davie’s responsibilities.
Talfan Davies had been widely regarded as the likely caretaker for the corporation, as the process to replace Davie was expected to be lengthy.
Davie’s permanent successor will have the huge task of heading talks with the government over the future of the corporation’s charter, including its future funding.
It is understood Davie has been working on that process and has contributed his own ideas on how the BBC’s licence fee should be reformed and its remit widened, with media viewing habits changing fast and audiences heading to digital platforms such as YouTube.
Speaking to the Guardian, Davie said this week that the BBC would face “profound jeopardy” over its future unless it embraced significant changes to its funding. He also signalled an overhaul of when someone needed to pay the licence fee.
In a note sent to staff, the BBC’s chair, Samir Shah, said Talfan Davies was “an outstanding leader who brings deep editorial experience and a passionate commitment to the power of public service broadcasting to reach and represent audiences across all parts of the UK.
“I know you will give him your support,” he said. “There will be a time to celebrate Tim and thank him for his extraordinary contribution to the BBC nearer his departure date. Until then, Tim continues to lead the corporation through this critical period as we prepare our response to the government’s consultation on its green paper on the future of the BBC charter.”
The government’s recent green paper included looking at whether the BBC should be funded by adverts or subscriptions – something Shah and Davie have opposed.
As director of nations, Talfan Davies has been in charge of investing in BBC programming and journalism outside London, ensuring it serves audiences across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Bectu, a major union at the BBC, welcomed the clarity. However, it warned against any big decisions to restructure the corporation while the search for Davie’s successor continued. The Guardian revealed last year that the BBC was looking at outsourcing plans.
