The BBC has appointed Matthew Postgate (pictured) as its chief technology officer (CTO).
Postgate will be responsible for delivering the BBC’s technology strategy, including the delivery and management of broadcast and enterprise technology infrastructure, as well as the broadcaster’s IT requirements.
Postgate has been promoted from his current position as the BBC’s controller of R&D where he was responsible for teams working on innovation, internet technologies and operations including the team which will deliver trials of UHD (4k) broadcasts over Internet (IP) and broadcast technologies (DTT) at the upcoming Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
“It’s been a huge honour for me to lead a number of teams in the BBC Future Media division,” said Postgate.
“They are the best in the business and leaders in their field, just look at the BBC’s World Cup UHD trials, but opportunities like this are rare and I didn’t want it to pass me by. I look forward to working with my new colleagues in technology."
Postgate's appointment filled the role of the former CTO, John Linwood, who was sacked from the position in 2013 over the failed £100m Digital Media Initiative (DMI). The initiative was intended to link digital production tools with a central, digital archive for BBC staff to access throughout the production process.
During ongoing rows about the failed IT project, Linwood has consistently defended the technology as “working” and that the BBC had tried to use him as a scapegoat.
Postgate will begin his role as CTO on July 28 and will report to the managing director of finance and operations, Anne Bulford.
Bulford said: “Matthew knows technology, he knows the BBC and he knows how crucial this role is for the BBC.
"He has all the qualities needed to excel in this position and I know he will bring innovation, expertise and value to the BBC.
"I would also like to thank Peter Coles for his excellent stewardship of the team over the year as interim CTO.”
01 Jul 2014