News Broadcasting
Andrew Baxter joins BBC Worldwide as head of commercial policy
MUMBAI: UK pubcaster the BBC’s commercial arm BBC Worldwide has appointed Andrew Baxter as head of commercial policy. Baxter will be responsible for the full range of commercial policy matters relating to all of BBC Worldwide’s seven businesses. In particular, he will work to ensure that all of BBC Worldwide’s commercial activities serve the BBC’s wider goal by competing fairly in the marketplace, operating efficiently and through protecting the BBC’s reputation and promoting the BBC’s brand.
He has management responsibility for BBC Worldwide’s compliance with the BBC’s fair trading commitment, Editorial Policy guidelines and the requirements of the new Charter. He will also take the lead in working with the BBC in developing new policy.
BBC Worldwide director of business affairs Sarah Cooper said, “I am delighted to welcome Andrew to the company at a time of exciting new developments. Now that the BBC Charter has been agreed and the remit for BBC Worldwide’s activities has been clarified and endorsed, we are moving ahead with our plans to further increase profits for the BBC whilst ensuring we protect its brand, both at home and abroad. Our strategy includes building some important commercial digital opportunities for our parent and for the UK licence fee payer in what is a fast-changing media landscape.
“A rigorous commercial policy is essential for any global brand with a reputation as strong as ours, and it is core to our business to ensure we always operate according to the four criteria laid down in the Government White Paper published earlier this year. Andrew’s extensive commercial and legal experience across the television industry and his breadth of understanding of regulatory, rights and competition issues will be invaluable as we take BBC Worldwide on to the next stage of growth.”
Baxter said, “It is great to be joining BBC Worldwide at such an exciting time. The cornerstones of Commercial Policy – efficiency, respect for the brand, and fair and transparent trading – are policies which make sense for any responsible business and should help drive profitability and growth. I am very much looking forward to what I see as a really positive and enabling role.”
News Broadcasting
Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
