Supporting cast

As Tony Hall contemplates the new team he'll need to build around him at the BBC, the tricoteuses and bullies of the Commons Public Accounts Committee may have tougher stuff to deal with in future.

CFO Zarin Patel has announced an intention to leave - and Lord Hall may well be considering the credentials of Anne Bulford, OBE, Chief Operating Officer of Channel 4.

Anne's career path starts at KPMG, thence to BBC, in 1993, as Head of Internal Audit and then Finance Director of BBC Productions, leaving in 1999 for Carlton TV. In 2001, Tony Hall left BBC News for the Royal Opera House. Anne became his finance director in 2002. Tony joined the board of Channel 4 in February 2005, and Anne joined in May 2005 as Group Finance Director.

Tony has now formally stepped down as Deputy Chairman of C4, leaving Ofcom to find a successor.