Six names in running for BBC Trust chair

The shortlist of candidates in the running to become the next chairman of the BBC Trust is now down to just six names, inside sources have revealed.

Lord Patten, the former Conservative party chairman and the last governor of Hong Kong, is understood to be the frontrunner to replace Sir Michael Lyons when he steps down in March next year.

Sir Howard Davies, director of the London School of Economics, also has a strong chance of securing the role as the BBC is facing a period of major reform, reports the Financial Times.

The other candidates in the frame include Richard Lambert, director-general of the CBI business group and Richard Hooper, former deputy chairman of media regulator Ofcom.

Former BBC policy director Dame Patricia Hodgson and investment banker Anthony Fry are also in the running. They are both already BBC trustees.

Interviews are scheduled to take place on January 28 and 31 in front of a panel including Department for Culture, Media and Sport permanent secretary Jonathan Stephens, former BP chief Lord Browne and Stewart Purvis, editor-in-chief of ITN.

The panel will reduce the shortlist to two names to be recommended to culture secretary Jeremy Hunt, who has the power to select either candidate or opt for a different person entirely.

A source closely involved with the process said: "There is no business big-hitter on the list. I can see Jeremy saying, 'These are not the kind of people we want, but I think I can persuade so-and-so to do it.'"

Sony chief executive Sir Howard Stringer was approached about the role, but decided not to take it any further. Other corporate heavyweights to have ruled themselves out of the process include former Marks & Spencer boss Sir Stuart Rose, along with Helen Alexander and Dame Marjorie Scardino.

The new BBC Trust chair will be appointed on a four-year term with an annual salary of £110,000 for a three-to-four day working week - £21,000 less than Lyons is currently paid.