The BBC Board has cleared Richard Sharp, who is resigning as Chairman, from potential conflicts of interest in his role at the BBC but said “relevant declarations should have been made at the outset of the Chairman’s tenure.”
Sharp has resigned following revelations that he helped facilitate a loan of £800k for former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
The report didn’t look into Sharp’s hiring but only at any potential conflicts of interest when he was in the role.
The review was conducted by three non-executive members of the Board’s Nominations Committee, Sir Nick Serota, Dame Elan Closs Stephens and Shirley Garrood.
The Committee met four times as part of its work, between 15 February and 5 May, 2023. The Committee’s findings have been noted by the BBC Board.
The Committee confirmed it had “no concerns in respect of the Chairman’s integrity while in the role.”
It was noted – in line with the findings of the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA) – that the “relevant declarations should have been made at the outset of the Chairman’s tenure, to avoid any potential perceived conflicts of interest. This was not in line with clause 2.4 of the BBC Board’s Code of Practice.”
The Committee “further agreed all other aspects of the Board’s Code of Practice had been followed satisfactorily during the Chairman’s time in his role.”
Jon Creamer
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