Kevin Bakhurst will replace Dee Forbes as Director General of RTÉ when her term comes to an end on 11th July this year.
RTÉ has announced the appointment of Kevin Bakhurst as the next Director General of RTÉ following an extensive recruitment process managed by the RTÉ Board.
Kevin Bakhurst was previously Managing Director of News & Current Affairs at RTÉ and Deputy Director General from September 2012 - October 2016. He was also a member of the RTÉ Executive throughout this period and served as acting Director General for a six-month period.
"I am honoured and delighted to take up the role of Director General. RTÉ plays a central role in Irish life and has brilliant people dedicated to delivering great and trusted content for audiences,” commented Kevin Bakhurst. “RTÉ faces huge challenges and global competition, and I am confident we can deliver the ambitious change needed to remain valued and relevant to our audiences. I'm looking forward to getting started."
Prior to rejoining RTÉ, Kevin Bakhurst was Group Director, Broadcasting and Online at Ofcom where he was a member of Ofcom Board. Kevin’s responsibilities included setting Broadcast Strategy and Policy for UK broadcasting regulation, creating and implementing the framework for regulating the BBC, enforcing and developing editorial standards for UK broadcasters and leading work on the future of UK Public Service Broadcasting which has led directly to new government legislation. He has led Ofcom’s work on the UK’s new Online Safety Policy and built a team of around 350 to deliver it, including a new data and technology team, and in the process shaping the overall transformation of Ofcom to take on the new duties.
Between 2006 and 2012, Kevin Bakhurst held a range of senior editorial positions at the BBC, including Controller, BBC News Channel and Deputy Head, BBC Newsroom from 2005. He was also a member of the BBC’s London 2012 Olympics Steering Committee.
“I’m delighted to welcome today’s announcement of the appointment of Kevin Bakhurst as the new Director General of RTÉ,” added RTÉ Chairperson Siún Ní Raghailligh. “The appointment follows a competitive recruitment process, with Kevin as the unanimous choice of the RTÉ Board. Kevin brings an exceptional breadth of industry experience, great leadership skills and a passionate commitment to the development of public service broadcasting in all its forms. Kevin’s appointment comes at a time of opportunity and change for RTÉ. With my fellow Board members, I look forward to working with Kevin in our shared commitment to a thriving and financially sustainable RTÉ.”
RTÉ is yet to confirm Kevin Bakhurst’s official start date as Director General of RTÉ.
