**EXCLUSIVE: The BBC Begins Search for New Director General Following Tim Davie’s Resignation Amid Donald Trump Scandal**

The BBC has already begun the hunt for its next director general after a tumultuous few days in which Tim Davie shocked colleagues by resigning amid a Donald Trump-related scandal.

BBC chair Samir Shah informed employees on Tuesday that the UK broadcaster had initiated the search for Davie’s replacement, drawing on succession plans previously prepared by the board. He acknowledged, however, that filling the role will not be easy due to the constant attacks faced by the BBC.

During a recent town hall meeting, Shah addressed staff:

> “My job now, and I’ve cleared the decks to do this, is to go full on into what we call succession search. We’ve already, obviously, been planning it. Any organization always has a succession planning moment — that planning is now going into search mode.”

He continued:

> “The first thing is to really drive down that search. [We need to establish] who are the candidates, and talk to them, find out who’s a potential. That takes time because, as I said earlier, this is not an easy job to fill.”

Davie resigned over the weekend but will remain in post to assist with the transition. Potential candidates for the top role in British media are already emerging. Sources told Deadline that strong contenders include Jay Hunt, Apple TV’s Europe boss, and Jane Turton, CEO of All3Media.

A recording of the all-staff meeting obtained by Deadline revealed Shah expressing frustration with the relentless criticism directed at the BBC and its director general. While some detractors argue it is legitimate to hold the corporation accountable over impartiality and misconduct scandals—such as those involving Huw Edwards and MasterChef host Gregg Wallace—Shah condemned the personal nature of the attacks.

> “I have to be honest with you, I think the way we as a country attack people really personally is not good. Why would someone do this job if that’s what they face? They do it because they love the BBC, because they think the BBC matters, and that’s why we do it.”

Tim Davie, who also participated in the staff call, described being BBC director general as one of the greatest jobs in the world. However, he admitted the role is “wearing,” especially amid intense scrutiny—including from the BBC’s own journalists.

> “This is not an easy task, but it’s not an impossible job,” he added. “I wouldn’t change a thing, I have no regrets, I’m so proud of the team.”

Sources close to Davie revealed that doing the job for five years has taken its toll. Recent months have been particularly challenging for the BBC, plagued by relentless editorial issues related to the war in Gaza and the misconduct scandal on MasterChef.

The botched Donald Trump Panorama edit, which has led the U.S. president to threaten a $1 billion lawsuit, proved to be a crisis too far. Davie decided that enough was enough—not only on a personal level but also for the BBC as an organization, feeling his continued presence was increasingly becoming a distraction.

One ally of Davie commented:

> “The level of scrutiny involved in this job is like operating with white noise the whole time. He has shown judgment, grit, and energy to take that criticism and public pressure, and navigate a way through it.”

As the search for the BBC’s next director general intensifies, many will be watching closely to see who will take the helm of one of Britain’s most influential media institutions.
https://deadline.com/2025/11/bbc-search-mode-director-general-tim-davie-1236613771/