Kevin Bakhurst to leave RT for new role in UK

Kevin Bakhurst to leave RT for new role in UK

3 August 2016: RT has today confirmed that Kevin Bakhurst is to leave the organisation in October to take up a position as Content Group Director for Ofcom, the communications regulator in the UK.

Kevin joined RT four years ago as Managing Director of the news and current affairs division, and was later appointed Deputy Director-General. He was most recently Acting Director-General, following the departure of Noel Curran.

As MD, RT News and Current Affairs, Kevin led the division during the creation and development of the RT Investigations Unit and its subsequent ground-breaking investigative programming, including landmark investigations of creches, care facilities, the charity sector and criminality. During his tenure, RT s television bulletins were revamped and modernised; RT s digital news and social media presence rapidly expanded; he introduced a range of new talent and presenters, and RT managed to secure the future of the regional studios by building partnerships with local Institutes of Technology.

Kevin was previously Deputy Head of the BBC Newsroom, overseeing BBC TV News, Radio News and the BBC News website. Born in Barnet in north London, he went to Haberdashers Aske s in Elstree and studied Modern Languages at St John s College, Cambridge. He was Editor of the BBC Ten O Clock News between 2003 and 2005, during which time the programme won several awards.

Says Kevin Bakhurst: "I have had a wonderful four years at RT with the most talented, professional and dedicated team of journalists - and great and creative colleagues across the organisation. I am in particular immensely proud of the recent coverage of the General Election and the RT 1916 commemorations; of the range of investigations we have carried out; but also of the fair, thoughtful and engaging reporting of stories day-in, day-out. It has been an absolute privilege to work for the national broadcaster during a time of change and renewal and I wish Dee Forbes and the whole organisation the very best for the years to come. I also wish the very best to the rest of Ireland s vibrant media who play a crucial role during challenging times."

Says Dee Forbes, Director-General, RT : Kevin Bakhurst has led RT News & Current Affairs decisively through a period of intense change and development, and his contribution, inside the newsroom, and beyond, has been significant. I'd like to warmly congratulate Kevin on this new role and wish him the very best for the future.

ENDS

Joseph Hoban, Head of Communications and Brand, RT , 086 8128662

Laura Fitzgerald, Communications Mgr, RT News & Current Affairs, 087 2923931

NOTES

1. A competition to appoint a new Managing Director, RT News & Current Affairs, will be announced in due course

2. Ofcom is the independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries, with responsibilities across television, radio and video on demand sectors, telecommunications, wireless communications and postal services. It will shortly take over the regulation of the BBC.

LINK:	http://www.rte.ie/about/en/press-office/press-releases/2016/0803/80665...
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