BBC revives Deputy Director-General role; Rhodri Talfan Davies appointed
June 10, 2026 12.46 Europe/London By Julian Clover


The BBC has revived the post of Deputy Director-General for the first time in almost a decade, appointing former interim chief Rhodri Talfan Davies as second-in-command to Director-General Matt Brittin.

The move creates a senior editorial counterweight within the BBC’s leadership team and complements Brittin’s background as a technology and digital executive rather than a career journalist. Brittin joined the BBC from Google in May following a 30-year career in technology and digital media.

Talfan Davies is one of the BBC’s most experienced editorial leaders, having spent more than 28 years at the corporation in journalism, regional broadcasting and senior management roles. He also served as interim Director-General between April and May following the departure of Tim Davie and before Brittin formally took up the role.

As Deputy Director-General, he will be responsible for editorial strategy, editorial standards and safeguarding public trust in the corporation, while ensuring the BBC responds rapidly to editorial and operational issues.

Matt Brittin said Talfan Davies was “the outstanding choice” among a strong field of candidates and praised his judgement and commitment to the BBC’s public service mission.

The appointment comes as the BBC prepares for Charter Review negotiations and seeks to accelerate its digital transformation under Brittin’s leadership. The pairing combines Brittin’s technology and platform expertise with Talfan Davies’ deep editorial and public service broadcasting experience, a blend likely to be particularly important as the corporation navigates questions around online safety, AI, journalism and the future of public service media.