BBC Trust

The BBC Trust is the governing body of the British Broadcasting Corporation. It is operationally independent of BBC management and external bodies, and aims to act in the best interests of licence fee payers.

The Trust was established by the Royal Charter for the BBC which came into effect on 1 January 2007. The Trust, and a formalised Executive Board, replaced the former Board of Governors.

<blockquote>In summary, the main roles of the Trust are in setting the overall strategic direction of the BBC, including its priorities, and in exercising a general oversight of the work of the Executive Board. The Trust will perform these roles in the public interest, particularly the interest of licence fee payers. — BBC Royal Charter (2006)

Trustees

The Royal Charter establishes that the Trust should have twelve trustees, including a Chairman, a Vice-Chairman and a member for each of the nations of the United Kingdom. Appointments to the BBC Trust are made by Queen in Council, on the recommendation of government ministers.

The Trust currently comprises:

• Lord Patten of Barnes, Chairman
• Dr Diane Coyle OBE, Vice Chairman and former Economics Editor of The Independent.
• Richard Ayre, former Deputy Chief Executive of BBC News.
• Anthony Fry, an investment banker.
• Alison Hastings, the Trustee for England and a former regional newspaper editor.
• Rotha Johnston CBE, the Trustee for......
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