BBC Names Paul Dempsey Interim CEO of BBC Worldwide

LONDON - The BBC said Monday that it has named Paul Dempsey interim CEO of BBC Worldwide.

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He will start in December and fill the role until designated CEO Tim Davie, who is currently interim director general of the BBC, steps into the role early next year.

Davie will fill the top BBC post until March when Tony Hall takes it over.

Dempsey, picked by Davie, is currently managing director for consumer products at BBC Worldwide.

BBC Worldwide’s current CEO John Smith previously announced his decision to step down after eight years in charge of the commercial arm of BBC.

"BBC Worldwide is a dynamic company with exciting times ahead of it," Dempsey said. "My immediate priority will be to provide the company with leadership and direction so it can keep on delivering great returns to the BBC.”

Said Davie: "Paul has a great track record at BBC Worldwide and a sound understanding of the commercial imperatives that have made it an international success. I have every faith that he is the right person to lead BBC Worldwide over the coming months and make sure it carries on supporting the BBC brand around the world.”

Dempsey currently oversees the consumer products unit , a global producer and distributor of TV entertainment packaged media, including DVD, Blu-ray, licensed product, music, BBC Shop and book publishing partnerships.

He joined BBC Worldwide in 1998 as U.K. sales director and became managing director of BBC Audiobooks in 2002. He was appointed director of BBC Worldwide's Audio & Music business when it was established in 2006.

He previously worked in sales and marketing at Mars Confectionery and other companies.

Email: Georg.Szalai@thr.com

Twitter: @georgszalai