Sir Michael Lyons to Head BBC - one of "ours"

The BBC have announced that academic Sir Michael Lyons has been chosen to head the BBC Trust to replace Michael Grade - after filling in the necessary application forms, passing selection interviews etc., If you want his views you can contact him Tel: 0121 414 5008 Email: M.T.Lyons@bham.ac.uk

Sir Michael Lyons is Professor of Public Policy at Birmingham University.

Sir Michael is currently working for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister undertaking a review of local government finance and structures.

He recently completed a Review of Public Sector relocation on behalf of the Chancellor and Deputy Prime Minister (“Well Placed to Deliver” The Lyons Review March 2004) (The BBC wants to expand to Manchester - well the people who work there don't, seeing it as being sent to Siberia - read Ariel ) He was also chair of the Cardiff City Council’s ‘Corporate Governance Commission’ which completed its work in April 2004 .

Sir Michael was knighted in January 2000 for Services to Local Government after serving as the Chief Executive of 3 major local authorities - Birmingham City Council (1994-2001); Nottinghamshire County Council (1990-1994) and Wolverhampton Borough Council (1985-1990). He spent a short period as an elected councillor between 1980-83.

Sir Michael is a member of the Treasury's Public Services Productivity Panel and works closely with SOLACE, KPMG and LAGAN Technologies Ltd so don't be surprised if the consultants move in.

Recent activities include membership of the Independent Fire Service Review which produced its report (The Bain Report) "reducing risk, saving lives" which gave an 11% pay increase over 3 years and got the firemen off the Governments back, in December 2002. Together with Sir Ian Byatt he was responsible for the publication of 'The Role of External Review in Improving Performance' published in the autumn of 2001 and has been actively involved in the dissemination of the results from the ESRC programme 'Cities: competition and Cohesiveness' for which he has chaired the Advisory Board. He was lead advisor for the House of Commons Select Committees Review of the Local Government Act 2000 and pre-legislative scrutiny of the Local Government Bill 2002.

You might be forgiven for thinking that his focus will be more on process than programmes. Sounds like a dullard - although he takes a fine photo.