The director-general of the Irish national broadcaster RTE has emerged as the dark horse candidate to replace Tim Davie.
The Daily Mail understands that Kevin Bakhurst is one of the top names that are being considered as BBC chairman Samir Shah announced the corporation is in ‘search mode’ following the resignation of Mr Davie.
Many have argued that the next BBC boss should come from a news background if it is to tackle the editorial failings highlighted in a recent internal report that alleged the corporation has ‘serious and systemic’ bias in its coverage.
Mr Bakhurst, 59, began his career at the BBC in 1989 where he would stay for 23 years, rising through the ranks taking on senior editorial positions including controller of the BBC News Channel and deputy head of the newsroom.
The Cambridge graduate, who grew up in Hertfordshire, later moved to regulator OfCom, where he enforced and developed editorial standards for UK broadcasters and regulations for the BBC.
Mr Bakhurst took over the Irish national broadcaster in 2023 to help clean up its operations after it had been hit by a number of scandals, including excessive pay for television talent.
He won plaudits after he announced anyone signing a new contract at RTE could not be paid more than his €250,000 salary (£220,000), which would no doubt cause anguish to the BBC’s well-paid stars but could prove popular with licence fee payers.
Kevin Bakhurst, director-general of the Irish national broadcaster RTE, has emerged as the dark horse candidate to replace Tim Davie
BBC chairman Samir Shah announced the corporation is in ‘search mode’ following the resignation of Tim Davie as director-general (pictured)
A BBC insider told the Daily Mail: ‘Kevin has got many admirers in Broadcasting House for the way he got to grips with RTE’s troubles and steadied the ship.
‘Many feel that is exactly what the BBC needs.
‘Tim Davie cited how relentless the DG job is, and Kevin has first-hand experience dealing with the public scrutiny and negotiating with politicians for funding.’
‘There are very few people with that level of experience and he is one of them.’
Mr Bakhurst is still interested in the work of his previous employer, as he shared a report by Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism on the work of the BBC to his LinkedIn on Tuesday.
‘Just a reminder of the reality – and what’s at stake here,’ he added.
Asked if he would be interested in the top job at the BBC, Bakhurst didn’t rule himself out.
‘I have a job to do here at RTE with great people, which I am really enjoying,’ he said.
Other candidates that have been touted for the £540,000 a year job include the BBC’s former content chief Charlotte Moore and TV production mogul Jane Turton.
