BBC Worldwide director leaves

BBC Worldwide managing director of publishing and multimedia, Nick Chapman, is leaving the BBC following the restructuring of the commercial division.

Chapman was in charge of BBC Magazines, the BBC/Flextech joint venture, the online service The Beeb, and BBC Worldwide book publishing interests, as well as being responsible for developing BBC Worldwide’s brands.

His exit is the second top departure from BBC Worldwide since the announcement of the restructure in December. Previously, the retirement was announced of Worldwide Learning managing director Dr John Thomas.

In December, BBC Worldwide merged its TV, publishing and learning divisions. The restructure was planned to exploit cross-media brands in international markets.

Dick Emery, managing director of BBC Worldwide Television, was appointed chief operating officer, responsible for all media except international news and information channel BBC World.

Chapman stayed as managing director for publishing and multimedia, with the added responsibility for developing BBC Worldwide’s “ability to exploit rights across all media”.

In 1995, Chapman’s division, BBC Magazines, had a turnover of 220m. It titles include Radio Times, the Clothes Show magazine, Gardeners’ World, Top of The

Pops, BBC Wildlife, Top Gear, BBC Good Food, BBC Music Magazine, Match of the Day and Homes & Antiques.

Next month’s annual report is expected to reveal that the company has built up 500m cash pile. Worldwide’s cash contribution to its parent has grown by 50 per cent in three years to 70m last year, and provides five per cent of the BBC’s total revenue.