The Chair of the BBC, referred to as Chairman when the incumbent is male and Chairwoman when female, is the head of the BBC Board, responsible for maintaining the independence of the BBC and overseeing the functioning of the BBC to fulfil its mission. The chair leads the process for appointing the Director-General and can dismiss the Director-General. The chair of the BBC also acts as the corporation's most senior representative to Parliament and the government, including the devolved administrations.
The chair is formally appointed by the King-in-Council, on the advice of the Secretary of State for a four-year term. The current chairman, Dr Samir Shah, succeeded chairwoman Dame Elan Closs Stephens on 4 March 2024.
List of chairmen
Status