BBC announces Tim Davie replacement after broadcaster's Director General forced to resign over Donald Trump crisis

He will join the BBC board from February 1 as an executive director, a position he will hold until he takes over as interim director-general on April 3.

In a note to staff about Mr Davies, BBC chair Samir Shah said: "He is 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."

On Mr Davie, who will leave his role as director-general on April 2, he added: "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."

Mr Davie resigned in November following allegations that the BBC selectively edited a speech by President Donald Trump on the day of the US Capitol attack for a Panorama documentary.

In a statement to staff following his resignation from the role he took on in 2020, Mr Davie said: “Like all public organisations, the BBC is not perfect, and we must always be open, transparent and accountable.

"While not being the only reason, the current debate around BBC News has understandably contributed to my decision.

"Overall the BBC is delivering well, but there have been some mistakes made and as director-general I have to take ultimate responsibility."

The BBC said the process to appoint a permanent director-general is under way. It also confirmed Rhuanedd Richards will continue as interim nations director while Davies serves in the interim role.

As Director of Nations, Mr Davies has overseen the corporation’s work serving nations and local audiences across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland since 2021.

He also leads the BBC’s Across The UK strategy to decentralise the organisation, as well as the corporation’s deployment of generative artificial intelligence technology.

As of July 2025, Mr Davies was paid between £305,000 and £309,999 per year by the BBC.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy thanked Mr Davie for his years of service.

She wrote on X: "I want to thank Tim Davie for his service to public broadcasting over many years. He has led the BBC through a period of significant change and helped the organisation to grip the challenges it has faced in recent years.

"The BBC is one of our most important national institutions. Every day, it tells the story of who we are - the people, places and communities that make up life across the UK.

"Now more than ever, the need for trusted news and high-quality programming is essential to our democratic and cultural life, and our place in the world.

"As a Government, we will support the Board as it manages this transition and ensure that the Charter Review is the catalyst that helps the BBC to adapt to this new era and secures its role at the heart of national life for decades to come."

In a Green Paper published in December, the Government will look at reforming the licence fee and consider more commercial revenue options for BBC.

The Government will also consider, strengthening the BBC’s independence, giving it new responsibilities to counter disinformation, and introducing specific duties around workplace conduct.

The BBC’s current charter, which runs for 10 years, ends in December 2027.

The annual licence fee faced years of scrutiny under the Conservative government, with it being frozen for two years at £159 before it was increased in April 2024 and once again in April 2025 by about £5 to £174.50, in line with inflation.

Mrs Nandy has previously said she could be open to replacing the flat licence fee with a sliding payment scale.