BBC Director General honoured

Tony Hall, Lord Hall of Birkenhead, was presented with an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Arts on Friday, 12 September.

The award was presented at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre as part of a Faculty of Arts graduation ceremony.

The honorary degree recognises Lord Hall’s significant record of work in television, journalism, music and the arts and was presented by the University’s Chancellor, the Rt Hon Lord Paul of Marylebone PC.

Lord Hall said: “I’m very glad to accept this honorary degree. It’s a privilege to have led and to lead two extraordinary creative organisations - the BBC and the Royal Opera House. They offer so much to this country and show the amazing impact media and the arts can have on people’s lives. I want the BBC to be the most creative organisation in the world and, as students here graduate, I hope they’re inspired to use their creativity in whatever route they choose to take.”

Lord Hall was appointed 16th director-general of the BBC on 22 November 2012. Prior to this, Tony was chief executive of the Royal Opera House from April 2001 until April 2013.

He joined the BBC as a news trainee in 1973 and during a 28 year career at the Corporation held roles including senior producer at World at One, assistant editor of the Nine O'Clock News, output editor for Newsnight, culminating as chief executive of BBC News from 1996 to 2001.

While at the BBC he launched Radio 5 live, BBC News 24, BBC News Online and BBC Parliament.

He was deputy chairman of Channel 4 Television before returning to the BBC.

He is passionate about education and skills within the cultural industries. He was the founder chair of Creative & Cultural Skills, chairman of the Musical and Dance Scheme, and spearheaded the development of the new High House Production Park in Thurrock, Essex.

Tony Hall has been chair of Stratford East Theatre; a member of the Regeneration through Heritage steering group; a board member of Race for Opportunity; a former non-executive director of HM Customs and Excise; and was a member of the Council for Brunel University. He is a board member of the Paul Hamlyn Foundation and an Honorary Fellow of Keble College, Oxford.

In 2009 he was asked by the Government and the Mayor of London to set up and chair a board to direct the Cultural Olympiad and also joined the board of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games.

He was appointed a CBE in 2005 and in 2010 was created a life peer with the title Lord Hall of Birkenhead. He sits on the Crossbenches in the House of Lords.

ENDS

For more information please contact Vickie Warren in the Media Relations Office on 01902 322736.

Date Issued: Monday 18 September 2014