BBC COO Leigh Tavaziva Stepping Down

Mar 3, 2026 3:37am PT BBC COO Leigh Tavaziva Stepping Down By Alex Ritman Plus Icon Alex Ritman @alexritman Latest ‘Pinocchio Unstrung’ Trailer: Wooden Doll Turns Homicidal in Next IP Bludgeoning From ‘Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey’ Team (EXCLUSIVE) 1 day ago BAFTA Pressured BBC to Exclude John Davidson’s N-Word Outburst From Streaming 4 days ago UTA Signs April Kelley and Sara Huxley of U.K. Outfit Mini Productions (EXCLUSIVE) 4 days ago See All BBC BBC COO Leigh Tavaziva is stepping down from her role. The news — which she revealed in an internal email to staff — marks the third board-level executive to exit the BBC in the past four months and comes off the back of director-general Tim Davie and news chief Deborah Turness’ resignations in November. Tavaziva was appointed to the BBC board in February 2023. Related Stories Brent Faiyaz Uncorks an Instant-Vintage Serving of Sultry R&B With ‘Icon’: Album Review “After five brilliant years, I have taken the opportunity to reflect on my own role at the BBC and have decided that the time is right for me to leave to pursue new opportunities. I will be stepping down in September. It is a privilege and honour to work here and to have played my part, alongside you all, to ensure we deliver on the mission and purpose of an organisation that matters so much, and now more than ever,” she said in the letter. Popular on Variety “I am incredibly proud of everything we have delivered in the COO Group and across the whole of the BBC over the last five years and I want to thank all of you for your immense support, hard work, expertise and care. This role has always been about supporting us to deliver on our strategy, developing brilliant leaders and teams and operating with excellence every single day. We do that so well, thank you.” Tavaziva said she would be working closely with Rhodri Talfan Davies as he takes over as Interim Director-General in April, to “ensure we carefully manage this period of transition and support the new Director-General when they begin.” She added: “I do recognise the uncertainty many of you are facing with the changes we are announcing today – we will continue to keep you updated as our plans and proposals develop and to ensure that you have an opportunity to feedback and input into the work.” Variety‘s sister publication Deadline was the first to report on Tavaziva’s departure. Jump to Comments How ‘The Simpsons’ Made It to 800 Episodes — And Even Helped Save Star Yeardley Smith’s Life LISTEN: ‘The Simpsons’ Celebrates Episode 800 and Takes Aim at 1,000: ‘It’s a Gift’ JavaScript is required to load the comments. Loading comments...