BBC restructures, combines COO and CFO roles

MUMBAI: As part of its restructuring exercise, BBC has combined the functions of chief operating officer and the chief financial officer under one person.

Anne Bulford has been made MD finance and operations, making her run the twin roles of COO and CFO.

Bulford, who will sit on the BBC?s Executive and Worldwide Boards, will oversee the finance, operations, technology, legal, risk and assurance and property functions. The role will also cover commercial rights and business affairs.

Her appointment follows the announcement last year that the BBC?s current CFO Zarin Patel will be stepping down. It also follows the closure of the COO post last September.

Incoming DG Tony Hall said, "Anne?s appointment is another significant step towards building a senior management team with the creative and strategic skills to lead the BBC for the next decade. She is a remarkable talent with a very impressive track record and we are very lucky to have secured her skills for the BBC in such a competitive market. I would also like to thank Zarin for her excellent stewardship of the Finance division over the last eight years."

Bulford is currently Channel 4 COO. She said, "I am really looking forward to returning to the BBC. I have such great respect for the organisation and cannot wait to come back and be a part of the new management team. I am also very pleased to be working with Tony once again."

Bulford begins her new role this summer. She will be paid a total package of ?395,000.