Who is the recently appointed Chairman of the BBC?
BBC Trust as the governing body of the Corporation, Grade left the BBC to become Executive Chairman of ITV. Chitra Bharucha, then Vice-Chairman, became the Acting Chairman. Sir Michael Lyons was subsequently appointed the first permanent Chairman of the BBC Trust, taking up the position from 1 May 2007. In September 2010 Sir Michael wrote to the Secretary of State, Jeremy Hunt, stating that he did not wish to be considered for a second term as Chairman. He stood down from the post in April 2011. Following a recruitment process led by the government, Chris Patten, Baron Patten of Barnes was appointed
Michael Lyons (BBC chairman) Trust, which also carries the title BBC chairman. He was appointed to the position after Michael Grade left the BBC to become Executive Chairman of rival broadcaster ITV. On 3 August 2007 a House of Lords all-party select committee criticised the way the appointment was handled, saying government ministers had too much influence over his appointment. Lyons dismissed the allegations, pledging "absolute independence and impartiality". On 14 September 2010 Lyons announced he had written to Jeremy Hunt, the Culture Secretary, to explain that he would serve for only one four-year term and would not seek reappointment in May 2011. He