New BBC DG Assumes Office, Outlines Programmes

George Entwistle, new director general, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) new has assumed office, highlighting his interest to put programme makers and delivering "outstanding creative originality" at the heart of the organisation.

In his first speech to staff since starting in the post on Monday he said he felt "privileged" to lead the broadcaster.

But Entwistle who took over the BBC's top job of director general from Mark Thompson, acknowledged criticism of the BBC and said "we can do better".

He revealed plans to change management as part of a "radical simplification".

Entwistle announced that Chief Operating Officer Caroline Thompson, who was a rival for the top job, will leave the BBC at the end of September.

This is a result of his plans to merge both the finance and operations divisions to one business division

"I intend to change the way we're led to put the emphasis where it belongs - on creative people doing creative things; on our audiences and the exceptional quality of work they deserve," he told staff across the BBC.

Entwistle said his focus on creativity could not be in isolation of the BBC's financial challenges, with cuts of 16% already planned as part of the delivering quality first initiative.

He said he intends to involve front-line programme makers and content producers in making those savings, with the incentive that they will be able to put the money back into their output.

Entwistle paid tribute to the success of the BBC's Olympic coverage, and said staff should aspire to recreate that atmosphere in other projects.

"Only the BBC can do things with the ambition, scale and quality that bring the whole nation together," he said.

Entwistle also acknowledged problems within the structure of the BBC, including "internal competition, the duplication, the jockeying for position".

He continued: "And at its worst, the leaking, the briefing against other people and other departments - and the sheer waste of energy and money that results."

He told staff he hopes to lead the BBC in a way that "re-invokes the pride I believe we all felt on our first day."

Entwistle, who was previously the BBC's Director of Vision, has worked at the BBC for nearly 23 years.