BBC big dog, Mark Thompson, has admitted that he could be ready to step down from his role as director general by the end of the year or early in 2013.
After eight years as head of the Beeb, Thompson has said he is âpsychologically readyâ? to move on but will wait until after the Olympics, which the BBC is host broadcaster for.
The corporation has not thrown any certain names forward as likely successors to Thompson and has named the current situation as one of âsensible succession planningâ?â¦.right.
A spokesman for the Corporation said: âWhilst speculation is inevitable, as the chairman has made clear earlier this week this is sensible succession planning and does not signal an immediate vacancy.â?
Thompson was appointed director general in 2004 after the Hutton Report into the Dr David Kelly affair forced the resignation of his predecessor, Greg Dyke, and the BBC chairman Gavyn Davies.
Speaking to John Humphries on BBC Radio 4âs Today programme, one insider spoke about the BBCâs likely plan to offer Thompsonâs successor half his current salary.
That would probably come in at around £350 grand â not very much for top managerial talent in a difficult position.
So who is in the running?
Well, front runners include Caroline Thomson, the BBC chief operating officer; Helen Boaden, BBC head of news; and George Entwistle, head of BBC Vision.
External candidates might include ITV boss Peter Fincham and Channel 4 director of programming David Abraham. Recently axed TOWIE star, Harry Derbridge is also in the frameâ¦.only joking! Of course he bleeding isnât.
