After an explosive memo knocked down the BBCs top brass, the British public broadcaster confirmed director-general Tim Davie would stand down, on Wednesday detailing an interim leader when his departure happens at the start of April. On Wednesday, the BBC board said that Rhodri Talfan Davies, currently the BBCs director of nations, will become interim director-general until the position is filled permanently.

To enable a smooth transition in the coming weeks, said the BBC, the executive will join the board from Feb. 1 as an executive director, a position he will continue to hold when he takes over from Davie on an interim basis on April 3. In a note to staff, BBC chair Samir Shah said: There will be a time to celebrate Tim and thank him for his extraordinary contribution to the BBC nearer his departure date. Until then, Tim continues to lead the corporation through this critical period as we prepare our response to the governments consultation on its Green Paper on the future of the BBC Charter.

On Rhodris appointment, Shah added: He is an outstanding leader who brings deep editorial experience and a passionate commitment to the power of public service broadcasting to reach and represent audiences across all parts of the U.K. I know you will give him your support.

A leaked memo in late 2025 led to the resignations of BBC director-general Tim Davie and BBC News and Current Affairs boss Deborah Turness. Among other claims, the memo said the BBC took an anti-Trump stance in a Panorama documentary by editing a speech made by the U.S. President before the Capitol riots. (THRtook a look at just how the crisis unfolded and the political ramifications of Trumps $10bn lawsuit here.)

A BBC representativetoldTHR in December: As we have made clear previously, we will be defending this case. We are not going to make further comment on ongoing legal proceedings.