THE former editorial director and director of news and programmes at GB News has joined the BBC.
John McAndrew will take on the role of director of news programmes at the broadcaster.
In his 25 years in the industry, McAndrew has held senior roles at Sky News, BBC, ITN and NBC News International where he served as a consulting executive for three years.
Following his departure from GB News, McAndrew has been the launch editor of The Andrew Neil Show for Channel 4.
He began his career with the BBC’s political unit before, following a number of producer and editor roles, he launched and edited The Daily Politics with Neil between 2003 and 2005.
After 11 years with the broadcaster, he spent a similar amount of time at Sky News where he served as executive producer for its 2010 election coverage and leaders’ debate.
Prior to the launch of GB News, he told the Press Gazette that it would be a “very warm, inclusive channel where disagreements will be had, tough subjects will absolutely be taken on, but they’ll be taken on in a classy and courteous fashion”.
However, he left the network less than a month after presenter Guto Harri was suspended for taking the knee live on-air.
Neil quit as chairman in September 2021. In October last year, McAndrew was linked to the top job at BBC News, which ultimately went to then-ITN chief executive Deborah Turness, who McAndrew will now directly report to.
He will begin the role in the new year and said: “It’s an enormous privilege to be returning to BBC News and putting my experience to good use at the world’s most brilliant, creative, and trusted broadcaster at a time when trust, truth and transparency are at an absolute premium.”
Turness said: “John is a hugely creative talent, with excellent editorial judgement. He’s a leading programme innovator who has a deep understanding of how to connect with audiences and will ensure they get the value they deserve from BBC News. It’s wonderful to welcome him back to the BBC.”
McAndrew’s role replaces that of senior controller, programmes and commissioning at BBC News, which was vacated by Jamie Angus earlier this year, and will see McAndrew sit on the BBC News board.
