BBC adds several members to its BBC Commercial Board

The BBC has announced a series of appointments for its board. The additions will help overssee the company as it continues its plan to build its commercial business, one of the BBC’s four strategic priorities under Director-General Tim Davie. “We have ambitious growth plans for BBC Studios to increase financial returns very significantly," Davie said. "The new BBC Commercial Board brings further external insight to our commercial operation as we accelerate growth and, in turn, ensure the BBC can maximise value for licence fee payers.”

Formerly known as the BBC Commercial Holdings Board, the team was recently rebranded as the BBC Commercial Board. The company has added  a external non-executive directors, known for bringing commercial, financial and digital expertise across various media platforms. Among the appointments is Damon Buffini, who has been appointed Chairman of the BBC Commercial Board, which will oversee BBC Studios, as well as the Corporation’s other commercial activity, including BBC Studioworks. Driving commercial growth is the principal concern of the new BBC Commercial Board.

The executive is set to bring his vast experience in business and the cultural sector to the role as Chairman of the BBC Commercial Board. As the founding partner of the global investment firm Permira, and with a long history of involvement in the arts, Sir Damon is well placed to guide the future growth of BBC Studios and the BBC’s broader commercial ambitions. He began his appointment as a non-executive director of the BBC in January 2022 and becomes Chairman of the BBC Commercial Board on 1 April. “BBC Studios has an impressive track record for creativity and business within the creative industries and the new board arrangements are a significant step to enhancing this further, both in the UK and globally," Chairman of BBC Commercial Board, Damon Buffini, said.

The three executive directors on the BBC Commercial Board will be Leigh Tavaziva, Group Chief Operating Officer of the BBC; Tom Fussell, Chief Executive Officer of BBC Studios; and Lorraine Burgess, Chief Financial Officer of BBC Studios. Current non-executive directors - academic and media policy expert Dame Elan Closs Stephens; former Sky plc Chief Commercial Officer and Chief Strategy Officer Mai Fyfield; and All3Media co-founder and former Chairman Steve Morrison - will be joined by newly appointed non-executive directors Bhav Singh and Gunjan Bhow. Bhav and Gunjan both bring significant global and digital experience, which will support the growth plans of BBC Studios. 

Bhav Singh has also joined the team. With a formidable consumer track record in digital media, education and technology, having led and scaled businesses internationally for ViacomCBS and Pearson, how now serves as the founder and Group CEO of the digital learning group Sandbox & Co. Gunjan Bhow is an international leader in digital transformation. Most recently Global Chief Digital Officer for Walgreens Boots Alliance, he has also held senior leadership roles at The Walt Disney Studios and Amazon Prime Video. “I am delighted to welcome Gunjan and Bhav as new directors to the BBC Commercial Board. Gunjan’s experience of digital leadership and transformation and Bhav’s in-depth knowledge of consumer products and technology will be invaluable for the BBC’s next chapter of commercial ambition and growth," Damon said. "Serving alongside Elan, Mai and Steve, Bhav and Gunjan complete a compelling non-executive bench.”

The new BBC Commercial Board will oversee the delivery of the Corporation’s commercial ambitions. It will report to the BBC Board on the delivery of BBC Studios’ objectives, in line with the BBC’s overall commercial strategy, and on BBC Studioworks. Increasing commercial income is one of the BBC’s four key priorities, alongside a renewed commitment to impartiality, a focus on unique, high-impact content and extracting more value from online. “Building the BBC’s commercial income is an essential part of providing brilliant programmes and services in the future," Richard Sharp, BBC Chairman, said.“Through these changes we are harnessing increased external and independent expertise to support that aim and I’m delighted that Sir Damon Buffini has agreed to chair the new Board.”