BBC CTO Matthew Postgate to head up technology division

BBC chief technology officer (CTO) Matthew Postgate has been appointed as CTO of the BBC’s project to consolidate the technology teams for BBC Digital, BBC Engineering and BBC Worldwide. 

Once the division is named and launched in April 2016, Postgate will take responsibility for the team.

“I am delighted to be taking on this role at such an exciting time for the BBC, helping to integrate the BBC’s digital and technology divisions, and to make the BBC truly internet-fit for the future,” said Postgate.

As a result of the restructure, Postgate’s current role, as well as the role of director of BBC digital currently held by Ralph Rivera, will be phased out once the department is launched.

In his role as CTO of the restructured technology division, Postgate will report initially to the managing director of BBC finance and operations before eventually reporting to the BBC’s director general.

The division will lead the BBC’s global digital strategy and technology operations, which ensure the BBC stays on air and online.

The media company announced the restructuring of its IT remit in 2015, and claimed the changes were a result of money-saving plans to make the BBC “leaner” and “simpler”, while saving £150m in costs across the firm.

The BBC blamed the “iPlayer loophole” for the need for organisational restructuring, as more people are choosing to view content online through digital means such as iPlayer or catch-up TV, eliminating the need for a TV licence.

Prior to becoming the BBC’s CTO, Postgate was part of the management team that launched iPlayer and worked with BBC Mobile to build the firm’s mobile services for customers.

Postgate has been the BBC’s CTO since August 2014, overseeing the firm’s hardware, software and services for internal employees and external broadcast services.

Anne Bulford, managing director of BBC finance and operations, said: “Matthew is an outstanding leader and technologist who has been a key part of the BBC’s digital and engineering teams for the past 12 years. Matthew will help to build a BBC with digital at its heart, and I wish him every success in his role.”