British Broadcasting Corporation

17 December 2004

The Queen has approved the appointment of Jeremy Peat to the BBC Board of Governors as the National Governor (Scotland). The appointment will be for a period of four years from 1 January 2005.

Notes for Editors

1. The appointment of Jeremy Peat will be made in succession to Sir Robert Smith who stands down on 31 December 2004.

2. The post is part time and attracts remuneration of £28,060 per annum for two days per week.

3. Jeremy Peat is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers in Scotland and has been Group Chief Economist at the Royal Bank of Scotland since 1993, where he is responsible for economic advice to the Group Executive and to all businesses across the Group, in the UK, USA and across Europe. Prior to this, he worked as an Economic Adviser in a number of Government Departments including the Scottish Office (1985-1993) and HM Treasury (1984-1985). He is a Visiting Professor at Edinburgh University School of Management, an Honorary Professor at Heriot Watt University, a Member of the CBI Economic Affairs Committee and a Member of Council of the Scottish Economic Society.

4. This appointment has been made in accordance with the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments Code of Practice. Jeremy Peat also holds a public appointment as a Board Member of the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council.

5. All public appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees' political activity to be made public. Jeremy Peat has not declared any political activities in the last five years.