News Broadcasting
Alexander Hungate is Reuters Asia MD
MUMBAI: Global news agency Reuters has appointed Alexander Hungate as Asia MD effective 1 January 2006. In this role he will lead the regional team responsible for Reuters business activities in Asia.
He will be managing annual revenues of about £420 million and 3,600 staff across more than 19 countries in the Asian region.
Most recently, in his role of chief marketing officer for the Reuters Group, Hungate completed a refocusing and reinvigoration of the brand and a transformation of marketing capabilities at Reuters. Before becoming chief marketing officer, Hungate was President of Focus Group Accounts, responsible for sales to the largest customers worldwide. Prior to this, he was Reuters America co-CEO with joint responsibility for Reuters business in the USA. He joined Reuters in 1993 and worked at Reuters New Media in New York in the early days of the internet.
Before joining Reuters in 1993, Hungate worked on strategy projects at Booz Allen & Hamilton in Europe, Asia and in America, advising clients in the media and high technology industries.
Reuters Group CEO, Tom Glocer said, “Having just completed plans for accelerated growth in China and India, Alex is now well placed to drive the implementation of these plans and can quickly assume his broader responsibilities across Asia.”
Hungate is based in Hong Kong and reports to Reuters MD, global sales and service operations, Christopher Hagman. Hagman said that he was pleased that Alex with his global experience of managing strategic aspects of Reuters financial business for 12 years, is now in Asia, running a rapidly changing and high growth region.
“He has shown that he can generate growth in his prior channel roles as Head of Focus Group Accounts and Co-Head of the Americas,” Hagman said.
Reuters has 15,300 staff in 91 countries, including staff from the acquisition of Moneyline Telerate in June 2005. It also includes 2,300 editorial staff in 196 bureaux serving 129 countries, making Reuters the world’s largest international multimedia news agency.
News Broadcasting
BBC to cut up to 2,000 jobs in biggest overhaul in 15 years
Cost pressures and leadership change drive major workforce reduction plan
LONDON: BBC has unveiled plans to cut up to 2,000 jobs, roughly 10 per cent of its global workforce, in what marks its biggest downsizing in 15 years.
The announcement was made during an all-staff meeting led by interim director-general Rhodri Talfan Davies, as the broadcaster moves to tackle mounting financial pressures and reshape its operations.
Between 1,800 and 2,000 roles are expected to be eliminated from a workforce of around 21,500. The cuts form part of a broader plan to save £500 million over the next two years, aimed at offsetting rising costs, stagnating licence fee income and weaker commercial revenues.
In a communication to staff, BBC interim director-general Rhodri Talfan Davies said, “I know this creates real uncertainty, but we wanted to be open about the challenge,” acknowledging the impact the move would have across the organisation.
The restructuring comes at a time of leadership transition. Former director-general Tim Davie stepped down earlier this month, with Matt Brittin, a former Google executive, set to take over the role on May 18, 2026.
While some cost-cutting measures are being implemented immediately, the majority of the structural changes are expected to roll out over the next few years, with full savings targeted by the 2027–2028 financial year.
The broadcaster had earlier signalled its intent to reduce its cost base by around 10 per cent over a three-year period, warning of “difficult choices” as it adapts to shifting economic realities and audience expectations.
With operating costs hovering around £6 billion annually, the BBC’s latest move underscores the scale of the financial challenge it faces, as it balances public service commitments with the need for long-term sustainability in an increasingly competitive media landscape.
