Sir Damon Buffini named Deputy Chair of BBC Board

Richard Sharp, Chairman of the BBC, today announced the appointment of Sir Damon Buffini to the new role of Deputy Chair of the BBC Board, in his capacity as Chair of the BBC Commercial Board. 

Sir Damon was a Founding Partner of international investment firm Permira, where he was Managing Partner from 1997 to 2010.  He has been Chair of the Royal National Theatre since 2015 and has held multiple Non-Executive Directorships across various industries.

Sir Damon joined the BBC Board as a Non-Executive Director in November 2021 and was appointed Chair of the BBC Commercial Board in March 2022.  His appointment to Deputy Chair reflects the importance of the BBC’s commercial activity to the overall success of the Corporation.

Richard Sharp says: “I am incredibly pleased that Sir Damon will take on the additional role of Deputy Chair of the BBC Board, reflecting the integral part that the BBC’s commercial activity plays in the Corporation’s overall success.  As Chair of the BBC Commercial Board, Sir Damon brings vast experience and expertise to the oversight of our commercial operations at a time when the BBC Board is looking for significant and sustained commercial growth.” 

Sir Damon Buffini, Chairman of the BBC Commercial Board, is today in turn making three new Non-Executive Director appointments to the BBC Commercial Board. 

Gary Newman, Ian Griffiths and Claire Hungate will all join the BBC Commercial Board as Non-Executive Directors, following approval from the BBC Board, with effect from 1 April 2023 for an initial term of three years. 

• Gary Newman was Chairman & CEO of Fox Television Group, which included Fox Broadcasting Co. and Twentieth Century Fox Television, until its acquisition by The Walt Disney Company.  During his tenure at Fox he oversaw development and production of such shows as 24, Glee, Modern Family, Homeland, 911 and The Masked Singer. 

• Ian Griffiths was Deputy CEO and CFO of market intelligence agency Kantar from 2020 to 2022.  Between 2008 and 2019 he served as CFO and COO of ITV plc and was previously CFO of EMAP plc.  

• Claire Hungate has held the roles of CEO of Warner Bros TV Production UK, COO of Shed Media, and Managing Director of Wall to Wall. Today she is President and COO of Team Liquid, the world’s most viewed esports organisation with a global audience reach of around 40 million. 

Sir Damon Buffini says: “The BBC’s commercial subsidiaries, already successful, have been tasked with a further step-change in performance.  The appointment of three new Non-Executives, with spectacular industry experience, reinforces the Commercial Board’s commitment to support and challenge the executive in achieving these stretching goals.” 

The new Non-Executive appointees join to replace Non-Executive Directors Steve Morrison and Dame Elan Closs Stephens, whose full terms on the BBC Commercial Board are due to expire in March 2023. 

Sir Damon adds: “I also want to record sincere thanks to both Elan and Steve for their service. It has been a pleasure to work with them both; their commitment to the BBC’s commercial mission is deeply held, and they step down knowing that the BBC’s commercial activities are in excellent health.”

The BBC Commercial Board oversees the delivery of the BBC’s commercial activities.  These are primarily made up of BBC Studios, a global company across production, distribution, licensing, channels and streaming, and BBC Studioworks, providing studios and post-production services to the UK’s broadcast and production sector.