EXCLUSIVE: The BBC‘s search for its next content chief is gathering pace.
Several industry sources told Deadline that the field of contenders has narrowed, with three executives said to be frontrunners for the biggest creative job in British TV, audio, and streaming.
They are: Kate Phillips, the BBC’s unscripted boss and interim chief content officer; Patrick Holland, Banijay UK’s executive chairman; and BBC Studios Productions CEO Zai Bennett.
Others are said to be under consideration. Multiple sources said BBC director general Tim Davie has met with Netflix UK chief Anne Mensah, though many are uncertain about her appetite for the role and willingness to take a pay cut. She is adored by her bosses at Netflix, who will want to keep her after a string of hits, including Adolescence.
Tom McDonald, the New York-based executive vice president of Nat Geo, is also said to be in the mix. He is highly thought of and his experience working in the U.S. would certainly not count against him.
Headhunters Grace Blue and Ibison are helping steer the BBC recruitment process, with applications closing last week. As always, the potential for a dark horse candidate remains a possibility.
Others are thought to have ruled themselves out. This includes Jay Hunt, Apple TV+’s boss in Europe, and Channel 4’s content supremo Ian Katz. Sources said Apple executive Alison Kirkham was considered, but is said to be happy in her current role. Liam Keelan, Disney’s former EMEA originals chief, is not in the running.
The successful candidate will replace Charlotte Moore, who is stepping down as chief content officer after four years to join Left Bank Pictures as CEO. She will also oversee international creative output for Sony Pictures Television.
The Frontrunners
Phillips is widely seen as the executive to beat, with both BBC insiders and influential producers trumpeting her prospects. She has been the BBC’s director of unscripted since 2022, overseeing the likes of The Traitors, Strictly Come Dancing, and Gladiators.
Kate Phillips
Insiders have been impressed with how she has acted up in the interim role over the past few weeks, while one ally in the production community said she had been “groomed” for the position, having worked closely with Moore for years.
“I was in with her recently and was impressed by her grasp of the material, her insights, support for the commissioners, and she was good with the talent,” said another producer. “That job is about understanding the bigger picture of the BBC, not just greenlighting shows. She has a strong and empowered commissioning team to get on with that.”
The idea that she is capable of navigating the unique demands of the role came up repeatedly. Described as one of the toughest jobs in the industry, it requires an ability to guide hits, grip controversy, and safeguard the BBC’s public service values as charter renewal negotiations loom. In recent months, Phillips’ changes to Strictly Come Dancing helped calm the misconduct storm that engulfed the show, while she has also had to handle the fallout from the Gregg Wallace scandal.
“What Tim is after is someone who really believes and loves the BBC, would live and die for the BBC, rather than someone in it for the glory of the job,” said a BBC executive. “It’s about public service, so he needs a good public servant.”
Phillips would also be one of the few candidates who would be the beneficiary of a pay rise, should she be promoted. She currently earns as much as £294,999 ($389,000), while Moore is paid £468,000.
Patrick Holland
Holland, the former BBC2 controller, is regarded as the leading external candidate, even though he is said to be happy at Banijay UK, where he has been since 2022. Sources said the allure of an outsider remains tempting for the BBC, and Holland’s mix of commercial and public service experience could work in his favor. As time has gone on, talk around the potential for Holland to take on the top job has grown rather than dimmed.
“He would be a brilliant candidate. He has got PSB passion and journalism/documentary experience. You need someone who can see all sides of a story and has got that grounding in impartiality issues,” said a highly-regarded factual producer. Holland commissioned BAFTA-winning Once Upon a Time in Iraq and Race Across the World during his time at the BBC. A former BBC insider said: “Patrick always said the only job he’d go back for is the top BBC content job.”
Will Bennett
Bennett only joined BBC Studios last year, but people close to the former Sky executive believe he is considering Moore’s old job. Some think the optics of him jumping ship so soon are unusual, but one person said he was brought to BBC Studios with a specific eye on succession planning for Moore and deepening the corporation’s talent bench.
With credits including Chernobyl, Brassic, The Only Way Is Essexand People Just Do NothingBennett knows how to pick a hit. He is also widely regarded as a strong communicator who would be able to articulate the BBC’s mission effectively.
Moore remains employed by the BBC, but is now entering the final weeks of her tenure. She was an unflinching advocate for the power of public service broadcasting, and the glowing tributes to the job she did suggest she leaves big shoes to fill.
Additional reporting by Max Goldbart
