BBC Trust
The BBC Trust is the governing body of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). It is operationally independent of BBC management and external bodies, and its stated aim is to make decisions in the best interests of licence fee payers.
The Trust was established by the Royal Charter for the BBC which came into effect on 1 January 2007. The Trust, and a formalised Executive Board, replaced the former Board of Governors.
Trustees
The Royal Charter establishes that the Trust should have twelve trustees, including a Chairman, a Vice-Chairman and a member for each of the Home Nations of the United Kingdom. Appointments to the BBC Trust are made by Queen in Council, on the recommendation of UK government ministers.
The BBC Trust currently comprises:
Rona Fairhead CBE - Chairman of the BBC Trust; former chief executive of the Financial Times Group
Sir Roger Carr - Vice-Chairman of the BBC Trust; Chairman of BAE Systems
Sonita Alleyne OBE – a former radio executive.
Richard Ayre – former Deputy Chief Executive of BBC News.