Former Google chief emerges as front runner for BBC Director GeneralReports surface as two women rule themselves out the raceMatt Brittin, former Google EMEA President, has emerged as the leading candidate to become the next BBC Director General amid ongoing legal and strategic challenges facing the broadcaster. Former Google EMEA President Matt Brittin is being talked up as the next BBC Director General, according to reports. The Director General position became vacant last November, when Tim Davie resigned following the controversy over a Panorama episode which contained a misleading edit of a speech made by President Trump on January 6th, 2021. The edit led President Trump to sue the BBC – legal action that is still ongoing. Jay Hunt, an Apple TV Executive who has previously held high profile roles at the BBC, Channel 4 and Channel 5 developed shows like Sherlock for the BBC and then poached GBBO when she was at Channel 4.

Source: The Times February 24, 2026 17:30 UTC