John Shield, the BBC’s longstanding comms boss with over a decade’s service, is heading for a pastures new with a role at global advisory firm Teneo.
The corporation’s director of communications will depart in May, and made the announcement in a note to staff this morning according to Deadline.
Responsible for all the BBC’s communications activity, Shield took home a salary of between £235,000 and £239,999 last year according to the broadcaster, which publishes an annual list of all senior staff and board members’ salaries above £178,000.
He has been a fixture with the BBC since joining from the Department for Work and Pensions more than a decade ago. Among his first tasks in the new job was overseeing the ongoing response to the Jimmy Savile crisis. He became a close confidante of ex-Director General Tony Hall during that fraught period, and has since worked closely with Hall’s replacement Tim Davie.
READ MORE: ‘Luxe’ look, polyester reality? PrettyLittleThing makeover under fire from brand experts
During his tenure, Shield has steered the BBC’s comms through shifts including governance reviews, the gender pay crisis and multiple editorial scandals from confusing former Manchester City full back Pablo Zabaleta with now-convicted sex offender Luis Rubiales to the Huw Edwards photo scandal.
Most recently, Shields has been on speed dial as the BBC deals with the fallout from the Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone doc, which just yesterday was called a “dagger to the heart” of BBC impartiality yesterday by chair Samir Shah.
In a second note to staff, also seen by Deadline, the BBC’s corporate affairs director Alice Macandrew said it is “hard to overstate the impact that John has had in his time at the BBC.” She added that the search for his replacement will begin immediately. “John has steered the organisation through some very challenging situations, with a calm demeanour, with expert judgment, and with real grit…perhaps most remarkably, without losing his sense of humour, even in moments of intense pressure,” she continued.
Shield noted that he had resigned in January but “now was the appropriate time to let you all know” via his own memo.
“Nothing has made me prouder than leading the BBC’s communications and public affairs work,” he added. “It’s been a pleasure to lead such a high performing team that has consistently delivered for the BBC.”
