Alice Webb, the Director of BBC Children’s, is to extend her role to become the Director of BBC North. Alice will take on the extra responsibilities in addition to her existing role with BBC Children’s.
Her new remit will see Alice champion the BBC in the North, oversee the BBC’s corporate activities and drive local partnerships across the region.
Alice Webb, the Director of BBC Children’s, is to extend her role to become the Director of BBC North. Alice will take on the extra responsibilities in addition to her existing role with BBC Children’s.
Her new remit will see Alice champion the BBC in the North, oversee the BBC’s corporate activities and drive local partnerships across the region.
Alice is perfectly placed to build on what has been achieved since the BBC’s base in MediaCityUK in Salford opened in 2011 says the Corporation.
Alice orchestrated the move to MediaCityUK, overseeing the successful relocation of major BBC departments including Sport, Children’s and 5 live. The move to the state-of-the-art Salford site was the biggest move out of London in the BBC’s history.
Alice was integral to the success of the project, which has helped change perceptions of the BBC across the North and led to the development of MediaCityUK as an internationally important media hub.
BBC North is now the BBC’s second biggest creative hub, the biggest news centre outside London, home to five of the BBC’s flagship digital products and base to some of the biggest BBC brands. Around 35,000 hours of output a year across TV, Radio and the Red Button are now made in the North, with 3,000 BBC staff based in Salford.
Alice says: “I’m passionate about the BBC’s presence in the North and so proud of what we’ve achieved since 2011. BBC North is a thriving centre and I am determined to champion it inside and outside the BBC.
“So much progress has been made in the five years since the move to Salford. Now the site is established, my focus will be firmly on building further relationships in the North and making sure our reach extends right across the region.
“At BBC Children’s, we’ve got an excellent track record of working with northern partners such as the Northern Ballet based in Yorkshire. We’ve also made the North East a centre of production activity, having filmed major programmes in and around Newcastle, like The Dumping Ground and Wolfblood.
“It’s that kind of work I hope to champion and encourage. I can’t wait to get started.”
Alice will report into Helen Boaden, the Director of BBC Radio and BBC England. Helen says: “I can’t imagine anyone better than Alice to take on this role. She will bring energy and a real commitment to the region.
“Alice played such an important role in the move to MediaCityUK, and more recently has led BBC Children’s from strength to strength. She is someone who knows how to get results and is already an established figure in the North.”
