At the head of the BBC since 2021, Richard Sharp has resigned from the presidency. The former banker would have “violated the code of governance for public appointments” according to a report published this Friday, April 28. A resignation which will not be effective until the end of June.
BBC President Richard Sharp announced his resignation on Friday, swept away by a conflict of interest case surrounding his appointment as head of the British public audiovisual group. A report published the same day found a violation of the rules on public appointments.
Matchmaker for Boris Johnson
Former banker, Richard Sharp was appointed in 2021, shortly after having played the matchmaker to help Boris Johnson, then Prime Minister, to obtain a loan of 800,000 pounds sterling (906,000 euros).
The report “concludes that I violated the code of governance for public appointments”, but that this violation “does not necessarily invalidate the appointment”, explains Richard Sharp in a press release announcing his resignation. Claiming ‘inadvertent’ breach, Richard Sharp argues he wants to put ‘the BBC’s interests first’, saying the case could represent a ‘distraction’ from the ‘good work’ of the media giant British audiovisual.
His resignation will be effective at the end of June. In a letter to Richard Sharp, Culture Minister Lucy Fraser said she “understands and respects” his decision, thanking him for his work as BBC chairman.