BBC News director Fran Unsworth resigns from BBC after 40 years

By Neil Wilkes, Editor-in-chief | 07 September 2021

BBC director of news and current affairs Fran Unsworth announces that she will leave the corporation in January after 40 years.

The BBC's director of news and current affairs Fran Unsworth has announced her resignation after 40 years working at the corporation.

Unsworth has held her current position since January 2018 and has previously worked on newsgathering, Newsbeat, Newsnight and the World Service.

In a statement, she said: "After more than 40 years with the BBC, I have decided that the time is right for me to hand on the job of leading the world's best news organisation.

"I have had a ringside seat at some momentous events, including the Falklands War, the Troubles in Northern Ireland, wars in the Middle East, the death of Princess Diana, 9/11 and countless general elections. It has been a great privilege.

"The jobs I've done have not always been easy. Undoubtedly, some were more fun than others. But I am proud to have done all of them - and to work for an organisation which has such a vital and precious role in the UK and around the world. The BBC is free of commercial and proprietorial pressure. Our bosses are the audiences we serve. I am honoured to have been part of it.

"I leave BBC News in the hands of an incredibly strong team which is committed to remaining at the forefront of the world's journalism. Through them, the BBC will be as relevant as it has been for the last 100 years. I am proud to have served BBC News and our audiences."

Unsworth will leave her post in January 2022.

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