In the week of her 40th anniversary working at the BBC, its first female director of sport, Barbara Slater, has today announced that she will be retiring from the BBC in spring next year.
Slater has transformed BBC Sport during her 14 years in the role. She has changed attitudes and increased the profile and interest of women’s sport, cemented the BBC’s place as the most popular sports broadcaster in the UK and delivered extraordinary growth and evolution of BBC Sport’s digital services.
She brought the FA Cup and cricket back to BBC television and has overseen the production of many Crown Jewel sporting events including 14 Men’s and Women’s Football World Cups and European Championships, seven summer and winter Olympic Games, including London 2012, plus Wimbledon, the Six Nations and Match of the Day, and she has future-proofed live sport on the BBC with a long-term rights legacy in place.
A former international gymnast and Olympian, Slater joined the BBC in 1983 as a trainee assistant producer in the Natural History Unit before moving into BBC Sport, specialising in outside broadcasts and overseeing the production of a range of sports including tennis and golf. After promotions to roles including head of production and then head of general sports, Slater was appointed director of sport in April 2009.
She was Awarded the OBE in 2014 for services to sport broadcasting and other awards include the Women in TV and film Inspirational Women prize in 2012 following the BBC’s successful broadcast of the London Olympics – the biggest TV event in British broadcasting history.
Slater said: “It was this week 40 years ago that I first walked through the doors at Broadcasting House. A career in BBC Sport has been an absolute passion, never just a job. Since joining in 1983 I’ve been privileged to have had such amazing opportunities and the delight of working with such talented colleagues and partners. There are a huge number of people to thank, and so many magical memories to reflect upon.
“From being in the director’s chair for occasions like Pete Sampras’ 7th Wimbledon triumph, to leading the move to Salford, seeing the extraordinary growth of our digital services and new talent excel. I also hope that in showcasing the brilliance of women’s sport the BBC has played its part in changing attitudes, increasing its profile and inspiring the next generation. I must also make special mention of the Olympic Games having been a competitor in 1976 and then leading the sport teams covering a home Games in 2012. It was a monumental achievement for the BBC and everyone involved, as the UK hosted a sensational Olympics in London. I will be following the BBC’s coverage of Paris next summer – this time as a proud sports fan.”
Tim Davie, director-general, added: “Barbara has had an extraordinary career at the BBC. A pioneer, innovator and outstanding leader, she has kept the BBC at the forefront of sport for a generation. I wish her well. She will leave the BBC with a tremendous legacy.”
Slater leaves BBC Sport with major rights deals agreed with Wimbledon up to and including 2027, the UEFA Men’s football European Championships in 2028, the Olympics up to 2032 and the BBC’s first Champions League highlights deal, which will run for three years from the 2024/25 season.
