BBC’s Richard Sharp: I can get the government on board

BBC chair Richard Sharp is confident that he can help shore up support for the corporation in Westminster by ensuring that its role is fully understood in the corridors of power.

Interviewed by actor David Harewood at the Edinburgh TV Festival, former Goldman Sachs banker and Conservative party donor Sharp said that his ambition is to cement the future of the corporation as it faces attacks from politicians and the press.

“I would like to leave the BBC stronger, more secure and prouder with a growth platform for the entire industry.

“I will communicate with government and I am confident that they will listen. This industry adds more value to the country than aerospace, life sciences and automotive sectors combined. This is one of our great export industries and the BBC may be the UK’s greatest leading brand.”

Sharp said that he has made a point of engaging with the BBC’s fiercest political critics – who variously believe that it is an organisation biased against them and are ideologically opposed to requiring people to pay for something they haven’t requested – by demonstrating its strengths.

“I speak to both parties and the bulk [of MPs] are very supportive of the World Service, our Ukraine coverage, the work we did during the pandemic and what we do for children, education, online, for pensioners and the lonely. They see that we talk to the nation and are an exemplary employer.”

He added that they recognise the value of the corporation to their constituents and are aware that they have some degree of influence over it, as opposed to the arms-length nature of the relationship with the privately-owned US giants.

Sharp registered his concern that the BBC has historically failed to get on the front foot.

“The BBC has been too defensive,” he said. “We have to go on the offensive and express what’s great about the BBC. It has been under attack and is under massive financial pressure but it’s importance is clear and it there is a very strong case to be made for it.”

Ducking the question as to whether it would be better for the BBC if Boris Johnson is succeeded by Rishi Sunak “who I mentored”, or Liz Truss “who I know less well”.

“When I was appointed, the current PM said ‘Make the BBC great’,” he said.