Rachel Jupp Appointed Director Of BBC News And Current Affairs

Rachel Jupp has been appointed as the BBC's new Director of News and Current Affairs and will take up the role this month.

Jupp is currently Director of BBC News Documentaries and Long Form Journalism. Her appointment follows a competitive recruitment process.

Announcing the appointment, BBC Director-General Matt Brittin said: "Rachel is an outstanding editorial leader, widely regarded for her news judgement, fairness, and high standards. She brings a clarity of vision for the future, and the determined, collaborative approach needed to strengthen BBC News.

"In a world of infinite choice, audiences are fragmenting, trust is scarce and facts are contested. BBC News remains the most used and most trusted news provider around the world and across the UK. It is our duty to recommit to the BBC's distinctive journalistic mission while reinventing how we serve audiences, and to rise to these challenges. In Rachel, we have someone who can do both, with a fresh perspective to lead BBC News into a new era.

"I would like to thank Jonathan Munro for his professionalism and leadership of BBC News in the past eleven months. I have been personally grateful for his deep experience, calm head and steady hand. He will return to his substantive role as Deputy Director of News and BBC News Global Director when Rachel starts."

Jupp said: "I'm honoured to be asked to lead BBC News. I want to champion our vital, independent and impartial journalism, deepen the trust people have in the BBC and meet our audiences wherever they are. I'm grateful to Matt for this opportunity, and I'm looking forward to working with our dedicated, brilliant teams across the UK and around the world."

In her new role, Jupp will oversee a team of around 4,500 people, with BBC News broadcasting to approximately half a billion people worldwide in more than 40 languages.

The BBC says it is consistently rated the world’s most trusted international news provider, while figures show that seven in 10 UK adults use BBC News each week.

Jupp will also join the BBC's Executive Committee (ExCo).

Her appointment comes as the BBC continues to face a changing news landscape, with audiences increasingly fragmented across platforms and growing competition for trusted news.

Jupp will take over from Jonathan Munro, who has led BBC News for the past 11 months. Munro will return to his substantive positions as Deputy Director of News and BBC News Global Director when Jupp begins her new role.

Jupp's salary as Director of BBC News and Current Affairs will be £400,000.

bbc.co.uk