The BBC's Chief Operating Officer, Leigh Tavaziva, is stepping down as the UK national broadcaster continues to experience leadership upheaval. Tavaziva, who has been with the corporation for five years, earning nearly £470,000 ($624,000), is the third BBC board-level executive to quit in the past four months. The previous two were director-general Tim Davie and news chief Deborah Turness, who resigned over a controversial edit of Donald Trump.
In an internal email, Tavaziva announced her departure in September, citing the need to pursue new opportunities. She expressed her privilege and honor to have worked at the BBC and played her part in ensuring the organization's mission and purpose are met, especially during these challenging times. Tavaziva will work closely with Rhodri Talfan Davies, who will take over as interim director-general next month, to ensure a smooth transition.
However, the BBC's plans for a new unit, BBC Media Tech, have sparked controversy. The unit, part of Project Ada, aims to save at least £100M ($132M) by outsourcing thousands of non-content jobs to private sector companies. This move has raised concerns about job losses and the future of the BBC's workforce.
Despite the controversy, Tavaziva remains committed to the BBC's mission and purpose, and she will continue to work with the new director-general to ensure a successful transition. The question remains: will the BBC's leadership upheaval continue, or will this be a turning point for the organization?
