Safe environment

The minutes of Mark Thompson's last BBC Executive meeting as DG have emerged. It was held on the 10th of September in Broadcasting House. Here are two poignant highlights, the first on the Quarterly Performance Report...

Overall the Board recognised that trust levels were at their highest for the BBC and it was important to be able to maintain these.

And this ending, featuring Senior Non-Executive Director Marcus Agius.

17 Any other business

17.1 As he would be stepping down shortly as Director-General and this would be his last 

Executive Board meeting, Mark Thompson said a few words.  He commented on how the 

Board, as an institution had grown and developed since it was established and how it 

would continue to do so.  He thanked colleagues for their candour during meetings, 

remarking on the quality and value of the debates at the Board which had provided a safe 

environment to talk about the important business and issues affecting the BBC.  

17.2 Marcus Agius spoke on behalf of the rest of the Board, noting members’ gratitude and 

appreciation for the way in which Mark had chaired the Board.  Marcus highlighted some 

of the key moments of Mark’s tenure as Director-General remarking on how well he had 

handled situations in what was a difficult and extremely demanding job.  In particular, 

Marcus noted that Mark was leaving the BBC in a strong position, with trust levels at 

their highest and after a great summer of sporting and national activity.

For those interested in timelines, try Stewart Purvis' blog, and note emails and letters passing through Mark Thompson's office in the days ahead of this meeting.