Sir Damon Buffini and Shumeet Banerji appointed to the BBC Board

The BBC Board has today announced the appointment of two new non-executive members.

Sir Damon Buffini and Shumeet Banerji will replace Tom Ilube, who stood down from the Board on 30 June 2021, and Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson whose term is due to conclude on 31 December 2021.

Sir Damon was a founding partner of international investment firm Permira

and Managing Partner from 1997-2010. He has been Chair of the Royal National Theatre since 2015 and Chair of the £2billion DCMS Cultural Recovery Fund since 2020. He has held multiple non-executive director and governance roles across various industries.

Shumeet Banerji was CEO of Booz & Company till 2012 before which he held a number of senior management positions at the firm and its predecessor Booz Allen Hamilton. He is the founder of Condorcet LP an advisory and investment firm focused on early stage technology companies. Mr. Banerji serves on the Board of Directors of Silicon Valley pioneer HP Inc. and of India’s most highly valued company, Reliance Industries Limited.

Richard Sharp, Chairman of the BBC, says: “Shumeet Banerji and Sir Damon Buffini bring with them a wealth of director level experience across the business, arts and tech sectors which will be critical to the BBC’s vision to grow its commercial activity, enhancing value for licence fee payers and boosting the wider creative economy.”

Shumeet Banerji said: “The BBC is built on a foundation of trust with audiences. It is an exciting time to join the BBC Board because trust in the media has never been more vital, and there are so many opportunities for the Corporation.”

Sir Damon Buffini said: “I am committed to the arts and the BBC’s role in supporting the creative industries. This is a compelling time to join the BBC Board as the Corporation continues to deliver best value for licence fee payers at home, while building its commercial reputation here and around the world.”

Mr Banerji and Sir Damon will start their roles on 1 January 2022, both on four year terms.

The BBC Board consists of 14 members, with a majority of non-executive directors. The Chairman and four non-executive members are appointed by Order in Council on the recommendation of Ministers, to represent each of the nations of the UK. The BBC Board appoints a further five non-executive members through its Nominations Committee, of which Sir Damon and Mr Banerji will be two. There are four executive directors on the Board, including the BBC’s Director-General who is the Corporation’s chief executive officer and editor-in-chief.