The government will launch its search for a new BBC chairman this weekend, with job advertisments for the role appearing in the Sunday Times and Monday's Media Guardian.

The annual salary for the four-day week job has nearly doubled to £140,000, plus expenses. Interviews are will take place in March or April under the Nolan procedure for public appointments.

Culture secretary Tessa Jowell said of the search for Michael Grade's replacement that while the former chairman would be "missed", that "strong institutions do not depend on individuals".

Names linked to the role so far include film director Lord Puttnam, broadcasting veteran David Dimbleby, former Financial Times editor Richard Lambert, former culture secretary Chris Smith, former Independent Television Commission chief Dame Patricia Hodgson and former ITV chief executive Richard Eyre.

Speaking in The Times, Jowell added: "This is a time for change for the BBC – it will soon have a new chairman and the licence fee settlement process is nearly concluded."