EXCLUSIVE: Leigh Tavaziva, the BBC‘s chief operating officer, is stepping down amid continued leadership upheaval at the UK national broadcaster.
Per an internal email, Tavaziva has told employees that she will exit the BBC in September. She has worked at the corporation for the past five years.
Tavaziva is the third BBC board-level executive to quit in the past four months, following director-general Tim Davie and news chief Deborah Turness’ resignations last November over a bodged Donald Trump edit.
Tavaziva said: “After five brilliant years, I have taken the opportunity to reflect on my own role at the BBC and have decided that the time is right for me to leave to pursue new opportunities.
“I will be stepping down in September. It is a privilege and honour to work here and to have played my part, alongside you all, to ensure we deliver on the mission and purpose of an organisation that matters so much, and now more than ever.”
She continued: “I will be working closely with Rhodri Talfan Davies, as he takes over as interim director-general next month, to ensure we carefully manage this period of transition and support the new director-general when they begin.
“I do recognise the uncertainty many of you are facing with the changes we are announcing today – we will continue to keep you updated as our plans and proposals develop and to ensure that you have an opportunity to feedback and input into the work.”
More follows