Department for Culture, Media and Sport
The BBC Trust is currently the governing body of the BBC, responsible for representing the interests of licence fee payers. It applies the principle of public value in holding to account the Executive Board, which is responsible for the day-to-day management of the BBC.
Under government plans set out in the draft Charter published last month, the BBC Trust is to be replaced by the BBC Board from April 2017. These appointments will extend to allow for a smooth transition between the Trust and the new BBC Board.
Sonita Alleyne has held a number of roles in the public and private sectors. She was a non-executive board member at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport when Londons successful bid for the 2012 Olympics was being put together. She continues to hold various public and private sector roles, including at the London Legacy Development Corporation, which will oversee the development of the Olympic Park area.
Bill Matthews is the BBC Trustee for Scotland. He has held a number of non-executive roles including with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, and has had a number of roles at the Scottish Government. He was heavily involved in the Audience Council for Scotland when the BBC Trust came into being.
Aideen McGinley is the BBC Trustee for Northern Ireland. She has spent her career in local and central Government in Northern Ireland including at the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure in Northern Ireland. Aideen has extensive experience in the community and voluntary sector both nationally and regionally. She is a member of the DCMS Jury for UK City of Culture, a former Chair of the BBC Northern Ireland Appeals Advisory Committee, and she continues to actively serve and advise a number of local boards and bodies.
You can find further details about the Trustees and the register of interests on the BBC Trust website.
Further information about the BBC Charter Review can be found on the BBC Charter Review site.
Background information
Sonita and Aideens terms end on 30 October 2016 and are being extended until 30 April 2017, while Bills term ends on 1 January 2017 and is being extended until 30 June 2017. However the BBC Trust is to be replaced by the BBC Board from April 2017 when these reappointments will cease.
These are paid posts, with Sonita Alleyne remunerated at 32,952 per annum, and Aideen McGinley and Bill Matthews remunerated at 37,660 per annum given their additional responsibilities.
These reappointments have been made in accordance with the Code of Practice of the Commissioner for Public Appointments. All 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. No political activity has been declared by Sonita Alleyne, Bill Matthew and Aideen McGinley.