The BBC has confirmed it will be carrying out an independent review of its workplace culture – led by Executive Chairman and Founder, Grahame Russell – after scandals such as Huw Edwards and Giovanni Pernice.
It will have a particular focus on preventing abuse of power and ensuring that all staff working at the BBC conduct themselves in line with its values.
Announcing the start of the review in an email to staff, BBC Chair Samir Shah said: “I cannot emphasise enough that I am fully committed to tackling inappropriate or abusive behaviour.
“For most of us it is a joy to work for the BBC and that should be the case for everyone. Nobody working in the BBC should ever feel fear or worry while working here.
“What is clear to me is that we must ensure the BBC is a safe, secure and welcoming workplace for everyone.”
Change Associates – who have been appointed to lead the independent review – have a multitude of experience and expertise in understanding cultural and behavioural issues across a wide range of businesses and industries.
Huw Edwards was part of the BBC for 20 years
BBC
They were selected to bring this broad knowledge and insight to the BBC review, with Russell leading the work and hoping to bring his experience across a range of industries and clients within the review.
Change Associates also led the work on the BBC’s 2013 Respect at Work Review with the progress made on those recommendations also looking at work done in other reviews.
The final report will make clear recommendations on practical steps to further strengthen workplace culture.
The broadcaster has released full terms of preference and in short, will focus on whether there are further practical steps the BBC can take to ensure everyone at the BBC understands and commits to our Values and Code of Conduct.
Huw Edwards resigned from the BBC in April 2024
PA
The second is how the BBC can ensure the consequences of inappropriate behaviour and abuse of power are understood by everyone and that significant issues are dealt with as soon as they are identified and in a consistent manner.
Whether there is more we can do to ensure people feel confident to speak up and for managers and leaders to act decisively being the third point.
And finally, what the BBC can do, when issues or complaints are raised, to make it clearer how the processes will work and what information will be shared.
The BBC intends to publish the report in the spring of next year.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Giovanni Pernice stepped down from Strictly at the beginning of the year
BBC
The review comes after disgraced presenter Huw Edwards was recently spared jail time for accessing indecent images of children as young as seven.
The former BBC presenter was sentenced at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London after he pleaded guilty to three counts of “making” indecent images of children.
Adding further fuel to the scandals, Giovanni Pernice stepped down from his role at Strictly Come Dancing after Amanda Abbington accused the star of being “abusive”
There has since been an independent review of the case, in which Pernice was cleared of all but six allegations made against him.