Who is Matt Brittin? The former Google boss favourite to replace Tim Davie as next director-general of the BBC
Matt Brittin, a former Google executive, is reportedly one of the leading candidates to replace Tim Davie as the BBC’s next director general.
The appointment of a figure from the technology industry, rather than someone with a traditional television production or broadcasting background, would mark a significant strategic shift for the company.
Mr. Brittin, 57, brings extensive experience from nearly two decades at Google, where he rose to become the company’s president of Europe, the Middle East and Africa before announcing his departure last year.
Prior to his work at the tech giant, he also worked as a consultant at McKinsey.
But her possible choice could disappoint some BBC staff and commentators who were hoping for the corporation’s first female chief executive.
Prominent women whose names have been floated include former Channel 4 chief executive Alex Mahon and former BBC content boss Charlotte Moore, who now serves as chief executive of responsible production company Left Bank Pictures. Crown.
Ms Mahon, who made history as the first woman to run Channel 4, currently runs the festival and live entertainment group Superstruct Entertainment.
When asked last month if he would like to take on the job, he declined the offer, stating that he had just started his new role.
Mr. Brittin announced his departure from Google in a post on LinkedIn, where he talked about the “transformative benefits AI will have on billions of lives.”
He has since embarked on a “mini gap year” and wrote: “I’ve already grown a beard, bought a single rowing boat and plan to learn to scuba dive when my son qualifies as an instructor.”
Mr Brittin is a non-executive director on the Guardian Media Group board and spent time in media, marketing and strategy, including as commercial director at Trinity Mirror, before joining Google in 2007.
He also served on the board of Sainsbury’s for nine years and is a trustee of charities including the Media Trust and the Climate Group.
Mr Brittin was a member of the British Olympic rowing team in Seoul in 1988 and won a bronze medal at the World Rowing Championships in 1989.
The Cambridge graduate also rowed in the 1987, 1988 and 1989 Regattas.
He was awarded a CBE in the King’s New Year Honors list earlier this year for his services to technology and the development of digital skills.
The BBC has been contacted for comment.
