In a bid to reform its workplace culture, the BBC has banned the use of the word “talent” when referring to high-profile staff, according to Director General Tim Davie.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Davie said the corporation is committed to fostering equality and addressing issues of workplace misconduct, which have come to light following recent scandals.
The move follows the launch of an independent review into the BBC’s workplace culture, led by Grahame Russell, founder of the management consultancy Change Associates. The review was prompted by a series of controversies involving senior BBC figures, including former presenter Huw Edwards, who was convicted earlier this year of possessing indecent images of children.
Other incidents have included the sacking of Match of the Day presenter Jermaine Jenas after complaints about his behaviour, and concerns over the treatment of contestants on the 2023 season of Strictly Come Dancing. Davie emphasised that no individual at the BBC is “indispensable,” stating: “I’ve kind of banned [the term ‘talent’]. You’re a presenter, I’m a leader of the organisation, and we’re here to serve.”
Committed to change
Davie acknowledged that issues of power and workplace conduct are not unique to the BBC, but stressed that the corporation is committed to change. “Everyone is treated equally regardless of rank,” he said, adding that the independent review would help “sort this culture.”
Davie also addressed the case of Huw Edwards, confirming that discussions about the repayment of the £200,000 salary Edwards received between his arrest and departure from the BBC were ongoing, but unresolved. Edwards was sentenced to a six-month suspended prison term after pleading guilty to charges related to indecent images of children.
In a speech to the Future Resilience Forum in London, Davie called on the government to increase funding for the BBC World Service, warning of an “all-out assault on truth worldwide” by hostile states such as Russia. He urged action to combat the spread of disinformation, arguing that the BBC plays a crucial role in defending democratic values globally.
Amelia Brand is the Editor for HRreview, and host of the HR in Review podcast series. With a Master’s degree in Legal and Political Theory, her particular interests within HR include employment law, DE&I, and wellbeing within the workplace. Prior to working with HRreview, Amelia was Sub-Editor of a magazine, and Editor of the Environmental Justice Project at University College London, writing and overseeing articles into UCL’s weekly newsletter. Her previous academic work has focused on philosophy, politics and law, with a special focus on how artificial intelligence will feature in the future.