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Council expert named BBC chairman Council expert named BBC chairman
(10 minutes later)
Sir Michael Lyons, a former market trader and council chief executive, has been named the new BBC chairman.Sir Michael Lyons, a former market trader and council chief executive, has been named the new BBC chairman.
The 57-year-old will take the helm of the BBC Trust, replacing Michael Grade, who left for ITV last November.The 57-year-old will take the helm of the BBC Trust, replacing Michael Grade, who left for ITV last November.
Sir Michael said it was a "great privilege to be appointed chairman" of the corporation.
He added: "I will never lose sight of the public's core expectations of editorial independence and quality programmes."
The BBC Trust says it works on behalf of licence fee payers to set the BBC's strategy and ensure the corporation provides high quality and value.The BBC Trust says it works on behalf of licence fee payers to set the BBC's strategy and ensure the corporation provides high quality and value.
It must also rule on whether major new services can launch and whether existing outlets are up to scratch. Sir Michael has been chief executive of Wolverhampton, Nottinghamshire and Birmingham councils and was professor of public policy at Birmingham University until last year.
Sir Michael was reportedly a street market trader in the early 1970s, before moving on to the worlds of academia and local councils.
He has been chief executive of Wolverhampton, Nottinghamshire and Birmingham councils and was professor of public policy at Birmingham University until last year.
Michael Grade left to become executive chairman of ITVHe recently carried out a three-year review of council funding at the request of Gordon Brown, concluding that council tax should remain, with a new top rate band.Michael Grade left to become executive chairman of ITVHe recently carried out a three-year review of council funding at the request of Gordon Brown, concluding that council tax should remain, with a new top rate band.
He is also chairman of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell said: "Sir Michael Lyons is experienced and talented. He has a distinguished track record in local government and a wide range of other sectors.
The BBC Trust has already had to make several crucial decisions since replacing the old board of governors at the start of January - but there are more still to be made. "He will be an excellent chair of the new BBC Trust. Along with the eleven trust members, he will represent the interests of the licence fee payers, ensuring they receive quality programming and value for money."
The Trust has suspended online education service BBC Jam after complaints from commercial companies, approved a satellite version of Freeview and gave initial approval to making BBC shows available on demand. 'Formidable reputation'
'Viewers' voice' Sir Michael's appointment, which was formally made by Queen Elizabeth and announced by Prime Minister Tony Blair's Downing Street office, was also welcomed by BBC director general Mark Thompson.
The final decision on the on-demand plans is still to be announced, while Sir Michael is also expected to be installed in time to rule on whether adverts should be placed on the international parts of the BBC website. In an email to BBC staff he said: "Sir Michael has a formidable reputation in public sector reform and modernisation both at a regional level and nationally.
"I believe he will be a true champion for all licence payers across the UK, ensuring that the BBC is in the strongest shape creatively and professionally to give audiences the best possible value over the next Charter period."
A number of potential high-profile candidates for chairman, such as film director Lord Puttnam and Question Time host David Dimbleby, decided not to apply.A number of potential high-profile candidates for chairman, such as film director Lord Puttnam and Question Time host David Dimbleby, decided not to apply.
The BBC Trust was created by the government to be "the licence fee payer's voice" and ensure an "unprecedented obligation to openness and transparency".The BBC Trust was created by the government to be "the licence fee payer's voice" and ensure an "unprecedented obligation to openness and transparency".
The changes follow the Hutton Report in 2004, which highlighted problems with the governors' dual role as both the corporation's champions and regulators.The changes follow the Hutton Report in 2004, which highlighted problems with the governors' dual role as both the corporation's champions and regulators.