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BBC Seeking a New Boss After Michael Grade Leaves to Rival Company

The British Broadcasting Corporation ? the BBC ? is searching for a new head, after its former chairman, Michael Grade, left his post to head the station?s rival, ITV. The British Culture Secretary, Tessa Jowell, said that a new search had begun and there are several possibilities already been looked into. She assured the public that Grade?s departure would not necessarily be detrimental to the BBC. "It is a large and resilient organization and is bigger than the loss of any one person in it," she said.
Michael Grade was a popular head at the government owned corporation. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is presently drawing up a new job specification and meanwhile, the BBC?s vice-chairman Anthony Salz will run the show until the end of 2006. From the beginning of the year, and until a new chairman is appointed, Chitra Bharucha, vice-chairman of the new BBC Trust, will run the corporation temporarily.

Industry experts and bookmakers are already speculating about Grade?s successor, and odds have already been placed. Top contenders for the new role are former BBC director general, Lord Birt and Lord Burns ? who are rated 4/1. Others on the list include television presenter, David Dimbley (5/1), Lord Puttnam, a film producer (5/1) and Labor MP, Baroness Jay (8/1).