At-a-glance: BBC executive expenses

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The BBC has revealed the expenses of its top managers in response to Freedom of Information requests.

Expenses listed include leaving celebrations, business dinners and gifts for BBC stars.

The BBC said that rules on leaving dinners and celebrations had now changed with spending limited to £20 per head and that buying champagne was also now banned.

A spokesman said gifts and flowers had been bought for stars because it was "part of the BBC's job to nurture talent".

Senior leaders needed to get together in formal settings to make important decisions, he added.

Here is a selection of expenses claims:

Mark Thompson, Director General

Appointed to the role on 21 May 2004, after being Chief Executive of Channel 4 since December 2001.

• 08/08/04 £1,277.71 Private plane charter from Maine to Boston - Thompson interrupted a family holiday to return to London to deal with an "urgent staff issue".

• 20/12/04 £1,250.16 Dinner for Carolyn Fairbairn (director of strategy and distribution)

• 15/2/07 £45 Flowers for EastEnders actress June Brown

• 21/02/08 £99.99 One bottle of Krug Grande Cuvee Champagne - "This was a BBC gift to Bruce Forsyth to mark his 80th Birthday," says the claim form.

• 30/08/08 £2,236.90 Flight from family holiday in Sicily, Italy to deal with the row over lewd calls made to actor Andrew Sachs on Russell Brand's Radio 2 show.

Mark Thompson, Director General <a class="o" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/running/executive/pdfs/exes_mark_thompson_2008_09.pdf"> 2008/09 [63KB]</a> <a class="o" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/running/executive/pdfs/exes_mark_thompson_2007_08.pdf"> 2007/08 [47KB]</a> <a class="o" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/running/executive/pdfs/exes_mark_thompson_2006_07.pdf"> 2006/07 [48KB]</a> <a class="o" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/running/executive/pdfs/exes_mark_thompson_2005_06.pdf"> 2005/06 [44KB]</a> <a class="o" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/running/executive/pdfs/exes_mark_thompson_2004_05.pdf"> 2004/05 [42KB]</a>

Mark Byford, Deputy Director-General

Head of BBC journalism, with overall responsibility for the world's largest news organisation.

• 16/02/05 £50 Table photographs (x 4)

• 26/9/07 £14.99 One QPR history book

A BBC statement said: "The book was a gift and used as a key prop in Mark's farewell speech for Phil Harding, Director, World Service English Language and News and former Controller of Editorial Policy and handed to Phil at the end of the speechPhil is a fanatical QPR fan."

Mark Byford, Deputy Director General <a class="o" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/running/executive/pdfs/exes_mark_byford_2008_09.pdf"> 2008/09 [41KB]</a> <a class="o" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/running/executive/pdfs/exes_mark_byford_2007_08.pdf"> 2007/08 [41KB]</a> <a class="o" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/running/executive/pdfs/exes_mark_byford_2006_07.pdf"> 2006/07 [42KB]</a> <a class="o" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/running/executive/pdfs/exes_mark_byford_2005_06.pdf"> 2005/06 [41KB]</a> <a class="o" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/running/executive/pdfs/exes_mark_byford_2004_05.pdf"> 2004/05 [40KB]</a>

Jana Bennett, Director, Vision

Has overall creative and leadership responsibility for BBC One, BBC Two, the digital channels BBC Three and BBC Four, as well as overseeing content on the UKTV channels and BBC America.

• 06/07/04 £231.55 Dinner with Jeremy Paxman to discuss contract

• 10/05/06 £100 Flowers for Jonathan Ross

• 01/05/07 £2,070 on a talent dinner (for 22 people)

• 23/06/05 £85.25 on a pair of engraved Tiffany cufflinks for unnamed talent

• 16/12/08 £35 Hair stylist services for TV interview

Jana Bennett, Director, Vision <a class="o" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/running/executive/pdfs/exes_jana_bennett_2008_09.pdf"> 2008/09 [47KB]</a> <a class="o" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/running/executive/pdfs/exes_jana_bennett_2007_08.pdf"> 2007/08 [48KB]</a> <a class="o" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/running/executive/pdfs/exes_jana_bennett_2006_07.pdf"> 2006/07 [48KB]</a> <a class="o" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/running/executive/pdfs/exes_jana_bennett_2005_06.pdf"> 2005/06 [48KB]</a> <a class="o" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/running/executive/pdfs/exes_jana_bennett_2004_05.pdf"> 2004/05 [51KB]</a>

Tim Davie, Director, Audio & Music

Overall responsibility for BBC Radios 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Live and the BBC digital radio stations 1Xtra, 6 Music, BBC Radio 7, 5 Live Sports Extra and the Asian Network.

• 26/03/06 £703.1 Dinner with new BBC agency roster

• 26/04/06 £1,053.98 Marketing, Communications & Audiences (MC&A) Leadership Team Dinner

• 31/01/08 £354.49 Acknowledgment of outstanding work

• 01/04/08 £537.75 MC&A board dinner

• 04/04/08 £407.25 Children In Need business discussion

Tim Davie, Director, Audio & Music <a class="o" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/running/executive/pdfs/exes_tim_davie_2008_09.pdf"> 2008/09 [47KB]</a> <a class="o" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/running/executive/pdfs/exes_tim_davie_2007_08.pdf"> 2007/08 [42KB]</a> <a class="o" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/running/executive/pdfs/exes_tim_davie_2006_07.pdf"> 2006/07 [47KB]</a> <a class="o" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/running/executive/pdfs/exes_tim_davie_2005_06.pdf"> 2005/06 [41KB]</a>

Jenny Abramsky, former Director, Audio & Music

Retired from the BBC after 39 years of service in 2008, made a Dame in the Queen's New year's Honours List.

• 12/09/05 £1,137.55 Celebration dinner in recognition of Terry Wogan's knighthood

• 04/10/06 £20.00 Picture frame

• 07/11/06 £129.00 Rail upgraded from standard to 1st Class

• 18/09/07 £1,406.41 Leaving dinner for Proms director Nicholas Kenyon

Erik Huggers, Director, Future Media & Technology

Responsible for the BBC's output over the internet, interactive TV and mobile services, plus manages the BBC's Broadcast and Enterprise Technology portfolio, Information and Archives, as well as leading the BBC's Research and Innovation activities.

• 19/11/08 £361.10 Team reward for exceptional effort

• 09/01/09 £812.24 Car hire/driver for day

• 10/01/09 £812.24 Car hire/driver for day

Erik Huggers, Director, Future Media & Technology <a class="o" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/running/executive/pdfs/exes_erik_huggers_2008_09.pdf"> 2008/09 [39KB]</a>

Zarin Patel, Chief Financial Officer

Zarin Patel took up the role of Group Finance Director for the BBC in December 2004. She is a member of the BBC's Executive Board.

• 11/02/08 £800.00 Thank you to Audrey Alexander for contribution

• 06/05/08 £637.66 To introduce new KPMG team to senior Finance team

Zarin Patel, Chief Financial Officer <a class="o" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/running/executive/pdfs/exes_zarin_patel_2008_09.pdf"> 2008/09 [42KB]</a> <a class="o" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/running/executive/pdfs/exes_zarin_patel_2007_08.pdf"> 2007/08 [42KB]</a> <a class="o" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/running/executive/pdfs/exes_zarin_patel_2006_07.pdf"> 2006/07 [45KB]</a> <a class="o" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/running/executive/pdfs/exes_zarin_patel_2005_06.pdf"> 2005/06 [40KB]</a> <a class="o" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/running/executive/pdfs/exes_zarin_patel_2004_05.pdf"> 2004/05 [37KB]</a>

John Smith, Chief Executive Officer, BBC Worldwide

Responsible for the strategic leadership and development of BBC Worldwide's seven businesses around the world: Channels, Sales & Distribution, Magazines, Home Entertainment, Content & Production, Digital Media and Global Brands. Mr Smith's expenses are not covered by licence fee money because he is in charge of BBC Worldwide - the corporation's commercial arm.

• 06/10/05£1,762 Cost of hosting a table at the RIBA Stirling Prize Awards in Edinburgh

• 25/10/05 £21.71 Hotel laundry service to iron shirts

• 03/06/08 £1,287.00 Dinner after BBC Worldwide Strategy awayday

John Smith, Chief Executive Officer, BBC Worldwide <a class="o" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/running/executive/pdfs/exes_john_smith_2008_09.pdf"> 2008/09 [44KB]</a> <a class="o" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/running/executive/pdfs/exes_john_smith_2007_08.pdf"> 2007/08 [44KB]</a> <a class="o" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/running/executive/pdfs/exes_john_smith_2006_07.pdf"> 2006/07 [44KB]</a> <a class="o" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/running/executive/pdfs/exes_john_smith_2005_06.pdf"> 2005/06 [46KB]</a> <a class="o" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/running/executive/pdfs/exes_john_smith_2004_05.pdf"> 2004/05 [46KB]</a>

Caroline Thomson, Chief Operating Officer

Responsible for the BBC's Policy, Legal, Strategy and Distribution functions and responsibility for all the BBC's major infrastructure projects - digital switchover, the proposed move to North West England and all the BBC's property plans.

• 07/05/04 £633 Non-refundable air ticket cancelled

• 15/10/06 £31.13 Champagne to celebrate signing Arquiva contract

Caroline Thomson, Chief Operating Officer <a class="o" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/running/executive/pdfs/exes_caroline_thomson_2008_09.pdf"> 2008/09 [50KB]</a> <a class="o" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/running/executive/pdfs/exes_caroline_thomson_2007_08.pdf"> 2007/08 [51KB]</a> <a class="o" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/running/executive/pdfs/exes_caroline_thomson_2006_07.pdf"> 2006/07 [51KB]</a> <a class="o" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/running/executive/pdfs/exes_caroline_thomson_2005_06.pdf"> 2005/06 [45KB]</a> <a class="o" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/running/executive/pdfs/exes_caroline_thomson_2004_05.pdf"> 2004/05 [50KB]</a>

Ashley Highfield, former Director, Future Media & Technology

Left his position in April 2008 to head up Project Kangaroo, the proposed video on demand platform offering content from BBC Worldwide, ITV.com and Channel 4's 4oD.

• 01/01/04 01/12/05 £785 Sky subscription service for 15 months

• 12/10/05 £238.00 One iPod

• 21/01/05 £120.00 One copy of Who's Who

• 17/09/07 £217.36 One iPod Touch for testing with BBC services

• 14/04/08 £1,430 Group Meal for 29 people after 11 hours duty Bellagio Hotel, Las Vegas

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