BBC Director General Matt Brittin will make his first major industry appearance at the final Edinburgh Television Festival this August, where he is set to discuss his first months leading Britain’s public broadcaster.
Brittin will take part in an “In Conversation” session focusing on the early stages of his tenure in one of the UK’s most closely watched media roles. He succeeded Tim Davie as BBC director general on 18 May, becoming the first person to hold the position since Greg Dyke in 2000 without previous experience at the corporation, reports BBC.
Before joining the BBC, Brittin built his career in the technology sector, most notably serving as Google’s president for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
Festival organisers said the session will offer Brittin an opportunity to introduce himself to an industry facing growing uncertainty over the future of the BBC, the wider broadcasting sector and television production.
“Matt Brittin arrives in Edinburgh at a critical moment for the BBC, with charter renewal ahead and a whole industry waiting to hear what the next chapter for the corporation will look and feel like,” said Fatima Salaria, chair of the Edinburgh Television Festival.
“The fact Matt has chosen Edinburgh for his first major industry appearance matters. We are delighted to welcome him for a conversation which will be lively, serious and central to the future of British television,” she added.
The appearance will also mark Brittin’s first visit to the festival as it prepares to leave its long-time home. This year’s event will be the final Edinburgh Television Festival held in the Scottish capital after organisers confirmed that Greater Manchester had won the bid to host the festival from 2027, ending its 50-year run in Edinburgh.
