List of directors of BBC Children's
The Director of BBC Children's and Education is the current name for the editorial head of BBC Children's and Education; the post has had a variety of titles since the department's inception in 1950.
The position is line managed by Kate Phillips, the BBC's Chief Content Officer.[1]
Remit
The director is responsible for all operational and editorial aspects of BBC Children's and Education, including the commissioning and acquisition of all content within the division. They oversee BBC Bitesize, CBeebies and CBBC, and lead the BBC's content strategy for children on BBC iPlayer. As at July 2025, the position is remunerated between £255,000 and £259,999 annually.[2]
List of directors
| Post Holder | Name of job title at time of appointment | Tenure |
|---|---|---|
| Patricia Hidalgo Reina[3] | Director of BBC Children's and Education | 2020–present |
| Alice Webb[4] | Director of BBC Children's | 2015–2020 |
| Kay Benbow | Acting Director of BBC Children's | 2014–2015 |
| Joe Godwin[5] | Director of BBC Children's | 2009–2014 |
| Richard Deverell | Director of BBC Children's | 2006–2009 |
| Alison Sharman | Controller, BBC Children's | 2005–2006 |
| Dorothy Prior | Controller, BBC Children's | 2003–2005 |
| Nigel Pickard | Controller, BBC Children's | 2000–2003 |
| Roy Thompson | Commissioner, BBC Children's | 1997–2000 |
| Lorraine Heggessey | Head of Children's Programmes | 1997–1999 |
| Anna Home | Head of Children's Programmes | 1986–1997 |
| Edward Barnes | Head of Children's Programmes | 1978–1986 |
| Monica Sims | Head of Children's Programmes | 1967–1978 |
| Doreen Stephens | Head of Family Programmes | 1964–1967 |
| Ursula Eason | Acting Head of Children's Programmes | 1963–1964 |
| Owen Reed | Head of Children's Programmes | 1956–1963 |
| Freda Lingstrom | Head of Children's Programmes | 1951–1956 |
| Richmond Postgate | Joint Acting Head of Children's Programmes | 1950–1951 |
| Cecil Madden |
References
- ^ "Who We Are: Kate Phillips". BBC. Archived from the original on 4 November 2025. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ "Who We Are: Patricia Hidalgo". BBC. Archived from the original on 2 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ "Patricia Hidalgo Reina appointed as the new Director of BBC Children's & Education". www.bbc.co.uk. 5 May 2020. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
- ^ "BBC - Alice Webb named as Director, BBC Children's - Media Centre". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- ^ Holmwood, Leigh (28 September 2009). "BBC promote Joe Godwin to director of children's". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 22 February 2017.