Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

BBC finance director resigns

Maggie Brown
Wednesday 02 December 1992 01:02 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

IAN PHILLIPS, the BBC's director of finance and chairman of its business arm, BBC Enterprises, has resigned after four years, writes Maggie Brown. Mr Phillips, 54, who was recruited from British Rail, leaves the corporation in February.

The BBC's television services have overspent by a possible pounds 58m. The BBC is having to cancel and postpone new programmes to make good the shortfall.

An audit committee chaired by Lord Barnett, deputy chairman of governors, has been trying to unravel the problem for the past three months. Last week, Marmaduke Hussey, chairman of the BBC, said the committee would report this week.

Yesterday, senior executives said that the reasons for the overspend were still not clear. It could be down to too swift an introduction of producer choice - the use of outside contractors - plus the introduction of new accounting procedures before a computer system to handle them had been properly installed.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in