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Matt Brittin, formerly an executive at Google, has been officially appointed as the new director general of the BBC. Taking over from Tim Davie, who decided to resign in November amidst controversy related to Panorama’s editing of a speech by then-US President Donald Trump, Brittin steps into the role at a pivotal moment for the broadcaster. Having left Google in 2025 after an 18-year tenure, Brittin was praised by BBC chairman Samir Shah for his extensive experience managing a complex, high-profile organization undergoing significant transformation.
At 57, Brittin expressed enthusiasm about his new position, describing it as both a “moment of real risk, yet also real opportunity.” He emphasized the importance of a “thriving BBC” that can serve the British public amidst a rapidly evolving and uncertain media landscape. Brittin highlighted the need for the BBC to have the speed and dynamism to be present where both stories and audiences are, aiming to leverage the corporation’s established reach, trust, and creativity to flourish in the future as a public service broadcaster.
Shah further complimented Brittin’s leadership qualities, stressing his capability to steer the BBC through ongoing changes in media consumption and market conditions. He also noted Brittin’s commitment to the BBC’s independence and his ambition to sustain the corporation as one of the nation’s most valuable cultural institutions. The appointment comes at a “critical time” as the government reviews the BBC’s royal charter, with Shah acknowledging that fundamental reforms are needed concerning the BBC’s funding model and operational framework to ensure the future of public service broadcasting.
The new director general will face several considerable challenges, including managing a high-profile, multi-billion dollar defamation lawsuit from Donald Trump, who has objected to how Panorama edited excerpts from his January 2021 speech—something for which the BBC has issued an apology. Brittin will also continue to negotiate with the government over the BBC’s charter renewal and the contentious future of the licence fee system. As the BBC strives to compete with major technology companies in the digital media arena, Brittin’s background in big tech is viewed as a potential advantage, with expectations that he will accelerate digital transformation initiatives, including those related to BBC iPlayer.
Born in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, Brittin has a rich academic and sporting background, earning a degree from the University of Cambridge and rowing in the Boat Race three times. He also represented Great Britain in rowing,
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