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BBC appoints Bérangère Michel as group chief financial officer
LONDON:The BBC has named Bérangère Michel as its new group chief financial officer, bringing one of Britain’s most seasoned retail finance leaders into the heart of the broadcaster’s future plans.
Michel joins from the John Lewis Partnership, where she spent 16 years rising through the ranks and ultimately serving as chief financial officer. Along the way, she took on senior leadership roles spanning customer service, operations, finance and strategy, gaining a reputation for steady hands and clear thinking during complex change.
Before her time at John Lewis, Michel built a strong foundation at Royal Mail Group, where she spent 11 years in finance, strategy and transformation roles, including a stint as finance director of its property division.
At the BBC, Michel steps into an expanded role with responsibility for the entire BBC Group’s financial strategy. Her remit will stretch across BBC Public Service, BBC Studios and the corporation’s commercial subsidiaries. She will also make history by sitting on both the executive committee and the BBC Board, a first for the role.
The appointment comes at a pivotal moment for the broadcaster, as it navigates transformation, prepares for charter renewal and looks to maximise value from both the licence fee and commercial revenues. Michel will report directly to director-general Tim Davie and is set to take up the post in early January.
Davie welcomed the appointment, saying Michel’s depth of experience would be vital in shaping the BBC’s next chapter and ensuring strong financial stewardship during a period of change.
BBC chair Samir Shah echoed the sentiment, calling the group chief financial officer role crucial to building a BBC fit for the future.
For Michel, the move is as much about purpose as numbers. She said she was delighted to join an institution she has long admired and looked forward to helping shape its future at a critical moment.
With a blend of retail nous, strategic rigour and public service spirit, Michel arrives as the BBC looks to balance its books while keeping its audience front and centre.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
