Dr Samir Shah. First Indian-Born To Be BBC Chairman (image@DCMS)
Dr Samir Shah has become the first Indian-born chairman of BBC (British Broadcasting Company). Shah has worked with the British Broadcasting Company for over 40 years. He was picked as the preferred candidate by the government in December last year. Shah was then questioned by cross-party MPs of the House of Commons Media Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee for the pre-appointment scrutiny, which was required to be approved by King Charles III. He will chair the position of 160,000 pounds per year and four-year term roll from March 4 to March 2028.
While announcing the selection, UK Cultural Secretary Lucy Frazer said Dr Samir Shah has wealth of experience to bring to the position of BBC chair as he has experience spanning to more than 40 years. She said Shah has a clear ambition to see BBC succeed in the rapidly changing media landscape.
The UK government said Shah’s knowledge of BBC and his beliefs in the Broadcasting Company’s role as the national media added with his extensive knowledge in the filed will be invaluable in helping to ensure that the BBC reflects, represents and serves communities across Britain.
Responding to the new position, Shah said, “the BBC is, without doubt, one of the greatest contributions we have made to global culture and one of our strongest calling cards on soft power. If I am able to put what skills, experience, and understanding of public service broadcasting I have built up during my career to help this brilliant organisation meet the complex and diverse challenges it faces over the coming years, it would be an honour”.
He said BBC has great plans in British life and a unique duty to reach wide audience across the country. He said he will do all he can to ensure that BBC fulfils all the demands in an increasingly competitive market.
Samir Shah was born in Aurangabad, and came to England in 1960. He has been the head of the current affairs and political programmes of BBC. Before being chosen as the Chairman of BBC, he served as CEO of Juniper, which is an independent television and radio production company since 1998.
