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Lord Coe confirms he is considering applying to be chairman of BBC Trust Lord Coe confirms he is considering applying to be chairman of BBC Trust
(2 months later)
Lord Coe has confirmed he is seriously considering applying to be the next chairman of the BBC Trust.Lord Coe has confirmed he is seriously considering applying to be the next chairman of the BBC Trust.
The Conservative peer and chairman of the London 2012 Olympics organising committee was quietly approached about the role by government officials late last month.The Conservative peer and chairman of the London 2012 Olympics organising committee was quietly approached about the role by government officials late last month.
In an interview on Friday, Coe told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Victoria Derbyshire that he was thinking about applying, the first indication Coe has given that he is considering the role.In an interview on Friday, Coe told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Victoria Derbyshire that he was thinking about applying, the first indication Coe has given that he is considering the role.
“It is a very meaty job and I’m passionate about public service broadcasting,” he said. “But the honest answer is I probably have a few weeks to think about it.”“It is a very meaty job and I’m passionate about public service broadcasting,” he said. “But the honest answer is I probably have a few weeks to think about it.”
Coe did not deny he had been contacted by Tory members of the coalition, but said no formal approach had been made. “Have I had conversations with the BBC? No. Have I had conversations with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport? No. Have I spoken to head hunters? No.” Coe did not deny he had been contacted by Tory members of the coalition, but said no formal approach had been made. “Have I had conversations with the BBC? No. Have I had conversations with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport? No. Have I spoken to head hunters? No.”
He was also asked whether he could be an independent chairman, given he is a Tory peer. “I’ve always been highly independent in everything I’ve ever done,” he said. “My politics are clear and a matter of public record and I certainly wouldn’t be walking away from my political beliefs.”He was also asked whether he could be an independent chairman, given he is a Tory peer. “I’ve always been highly independent in everything I’ve ever done,” he said. “My politics are clear and a matter of public record and I certainly wouldn’t be walking away from my political beliefs.”
The government officially started the hunt for the next chairman on Monday, placing an advertisement for the role calling on candidates to apply by 20 June. Interviews will be held in the week beginning 28 July.The government officially started the hunt for the next chairman on Monday, placing an advertisement for the role calling on candidates to apply by 20 June. Interviews will be held in the week beginning 28 July.
Coe’s mix of strong Tory credentials and a reputation enhanced by the success of the London Games have made him the frontrunner to succeed Lord Patten.Coe’s mix of strong Tory credentials and a reputation enhanced by the success of the London Games have made him the frontrunner to succeed Lord Patten.
He is said to have the firm support of David Cameron, who will ultimately be responsible for ratifying the appointment.He is said to have the firm support of David Cameron, who will ultimately be responsible for ratifying the appointment.
Diane Coyle, the acting chairman of the BBC Trust, told the Independent on Sunday that she had “not quite made up my mind” about applying, but had not ruled it out.Diane Coyle, the acting chairman of the BBC Trust, told the Independent on Sunday that she had “not quite made up my mind” about applying, but had not ruled it out.
Potential candidates who have appeared on unofficial lists compiled by senior officials include Dame Marjorie Scardino – the former chief executive of Pearson, the company behind the Financial Times – and Colette Bowe, the former chair of the broadcasting regulator Ofcom. Potential candidates who have appeared on unofficial lists compiled by senior officials include Dame Marjorie Scardino – the former chief executive of Pearson, the company behind the Financial Times – and Colette Bowe, the former chair of the broadcasting regulator Ofcom.
One potential snag for Coe is that he has a long-held ambition to win the presidency of the International Association of Athletics Federations – he has been a vice president since 2007 – with the election of a successor next year.One potential snag for Coe is that he has a long-held ambition to win the presidency of the International Association of Athletics Federations – he has been a vice president since 2007 – with the election of a successor next year.
Coe said: “I have always made it clear that is I was in a position to shape the future of a sport that has been very good to me I would take that opportunity.Coe said: “I have always made it clear that is I was in a position to shape the future of a sport that has been very good to me I would take that opportunity.
“That is for the sport to decide. That is a decision made amongst 200 and something [athletics] federations. That is not for a year or two.”“That is for the sport to decide. That is a decision made amongst 200 and something [athletics] federations. That is not for a year or two.”
The BBC Trust chairman is supposedly a “three to four” days a week commitment, which may theoretically give him time to juggle both roles.The BBC Trust chairman is supposedly a “three to four” days a week commitment, which may theoretically give him time to juggle both roles.
Although previous BBC Trust chairmen have commented that the demands of the £110,000-a-year role extend beyond its supposed part-time nature.Although previous BBC Trust chairmen have commented that the demands of the £110,000-a-year role extend beyond its supposed part-time nature.
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