Indian-origin media executive Samir Shah to head BBC Board

Samir Shah will take over the reins of the Board as the BBC is facing £500 million in cost-cutting with higher costs and a two year freeze on its licensing fee A British-Indian has been picked by the U.K. Government to head the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) as its next chair. Samir Shah, a 71-year-old former BBC non-executive director and media executive, was born in Aurangabad and moved to the U.K. in 1960. He will head the public broadcaster as it faces questions over its independence and financial challenges with the renewal of its charter. The previous BBC chair, Richard Sharp, stepped down in June over his failure to disclose that he had helped arrange a £800,000 loan to former U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The BBC Chair’s duties include overseeing the independence of the organisation.Source:thehindu.com