The BBC Board has appointed Jody Ford as a non-executive director. As a BBC-appointed Board member, Ford replaces Shumeet Banerji, who left the BBC in November.
Ford brings extensive commercial experience from the technology sector in both the UK and the US. His previous roles include Group Chief Executive Officer at PhotoBox (which then included Moonpig) and global Growth Vice President at eBay. As Chief Executive Officer of Trainline since 2020, he has led the company’s growth as an independent global rail and coach travel platform. He began his career in consulting roles at PwC and McKinsey.
As a non-executive director, he will play an advisory role in helping to shape the BBC’s transformation into the next Charter period and will also help to ensure the Board makes decisions in the public interest. He will serve for four years on the Board, from 12 January 2026.
Samir Shah, BBC Chair, says: “I’m delighted to welcome Jody to the Board of the BBC. He brings deep expertise in technology and innovation and knows how to use that experience to drive change in an organisation. This insight will be invaluable as the Board develops its strategy to transform the BBC. I look forward to Board discussions and deliberations being enriched by his energy, enthusiasm, and clear passion for the BBC.”
Jody Ford says: “I’m proud to be joining the BBC Board in a non-executive capacity and to support a British cultural icon that means so much to so many in the UK and globally. Its core mission and purpose endure, and I look forward to helping harness technology and digital innovation to remain relevant, resilient and impactful. The BBC has shaped how I understand the world and what the future might hold and I’m excited to play a part in preparing it for future challenges.”
The BBC Board consists of 14 members, with a majority of non-executive directors. The Chairman and four non-executive members are appointed by the King-in-Council on the recommendation of Ministers, with each of the four Nations of the UK represented by their own member. The BBC Board appoints a further five non-executive members through its Nominations Committee. There are four executive directors on the Board, including the BBC’s Director-General who is the Corporation’s chief executive officer and editor-in-chief.
The BBC Board is responsible for ensuring the BBC fulfils its mission and public purposes as set out in the Charter. The Board must uphold and protect the independence of the BBC and make its decisions in the public interest. It is accountable for all of the Corporation’s activities including the publicly funded services, as well as the commercial activities in the UK and around the world.
Pippa Considine
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