BBCc’s Tim Davie Issues Ban On The Word ‘talent’ In Crackdown After Scandals

BBC Director General Tim Davie has said he has “kind of banned” the use of the term “talent” for high-profile staff at the corporation.

The move comes as the BBC launches an independent review of its workplace culture following recent controversies involving senior presenters.

Davie emphasised the need for “equality and service” within the organisation.

“We often refer to people like yourself as talent, but I’ve kind of banned that. You’re a presenter, I’m a leader of the organisation, and we’re here to serve,” he told BBC’s Radio 4 Today programme.

Davie addressed the changing dynamics in the media industry, acknowledging that power imbalances have been a widespread issue.

He said: “I think over the last decade or so we’ve seen fundamental changes in the culture in this industry, and it hasn’t been completely unique [to the BBC that] those that have had power in places can often use that in bad ways.”

The BBC’s commitment to change follows recent controversies, including issues surrounding presenter Huw Edwards and complaints about Jermaine Jenas’s workplace conduct.

Davie added that no one at the corporation is “indispensable” and stressed the importance of equal treatment regardless of rank.

The BBC has initiated an independent review of its workplace culture, led by Grahame Russell, executive chair and founder of Change Associates.

Davie said: “It’s about how people deploy power in a workplace, we’ve all seen it, it’s not unique to the BBC.”

He added that the review will “be helpful for us” in “sorting this culture”.

Highlighting the importance of open communication, Davie said: “People need to speak up and everyone at every level needs to be heard.”

The BBC chief was also questioned about any progress in recouping the estimated £200,000 salary Edwards received between his arrest and his departure from the corporation in April.

He responded that there had been “some discussions with the lawyers, but the matter remains unresolved.”

When asked if he expected the money to be returned, Davie said: “I think the ball is clearly not in my court on that one.”

In July, Edwards pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children, including photos of children as young as seven, which had been sent to him by a convicted paedophile.

He was handed a six-month suspended prison sentence.