Mark Thompson

Mark John Thompson (b.1957) was Director-General from 2004 to 2012.

Mark Thompson began his long BBC career in 1979 as a production trainee. He worked on programmes including Nationwide and Newsnight before becoming Editor of the Nine O'Clock News and Panorama. In 1992 he became Head of Features, then Head of Factual in 1994, Controller of BBC2 in 1996, Director of Nations and Regions in 1996 and Director of Television in 2000.

He left the BBC in 2002 to become Chief Executive of Channel 4, but returned when he was appointed Director-General in May 2004. His tenure saw the redevelopment of Broadcasting House and the sale of BBC Television Centre.