BBC Worldwide chairman steps down

Etienne de Villiers is to step down from his role as chairman of BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC.

The former ITV director and Disney executive will leave his position at the end of September, although he will continue to consult for BBC Worldwide during the transition to the new chairman.

De Villiers was appointed as chairman of the BBC’s Commercial Holdings Board in September 2005 with a remit to oversee the growth plans of the BBC’s commercial businesses. He took up the role of chairman and non-executive director of BBC Worldwide in January 2006.