Who is New BBC Group Chief Finance Officer Bérangère Michel?

The BBC has announced the appointment of Bérangère Michel as Group Chief Financial Officer, effective early January 2026. 

She will be responsible for working closely with the broadcaster’s senior leadership to guide the overall BBC Group financial strategy, sitting on both the executive committee and, for the first time, the board. 

Bérangère is a respected and experienced CFO and COO, bringing many years of high-level and strategic leadership knowledge from organisations including John Lewis Partnership. 

Sharing the appointment on her LinkedIn, Bérangère says: “I’m pleased to announce that I’ll be joining the BBC as its new Group CFO in the new year. 

“I look forward to working with the Executive and Board on shaping an exciting future for such a special organisation, at a particularly crucial time.”

Bérangère’s appointment follows a period of leadership upheaval in late 2025 which saw the resignations of BBC Director-General Tim Davie and News Chief Executive Deborah Turness in November following controversies over a Panorama documentary.

Strengthening financial leadership

In an expanded role as BBC Group Chief Financial Officer, Bérangère will be responsible for overall BBC Group financial strategy. 

This will include a remit across the BBC’s Public Service, Studios and commercial subsidiaries in a leadership role that sits at board level. 

According to a BBC press release, the position “will strengthen the BBC’s financial leadership, support its transformation, and make the best use of the licence fee and commercial opportunities.”

Director-General Tim Davie says: “Bérangère brings a wealth of experience from her time at the John Lewis Partnership and will play a critical role in shaping our new financial strategy. I’m pleased to welcome her to the BBC, and to both the Executive Committee and Board.

“Bérangère’s appointment to this expanded role comes at an important time for the BBC, as we look ahead to Charter renewal and continue to accelerate our transformation to deliver outstanding value for our audiences.”

BBC Chair Samir Shah highlights the key role Bérangère will play as the broadcaster sets its sights on future strategic direction: “The role of Group Chief Financial Officer will be hugely important as we build a BBC for the future, and I look forward to welcoming Bérangère to the Board.”

Who is Bérangère Michel?

Bérangère is a senior finance leader best known for her long tenure at the John Lewis Partnership, the employee-owned group behind John Lewis and Waitrose, where she held senior roles spanning finance, retail operations, supply chain and customer service

Bérangère joined the Partnership in April 2008 as Group Head of Financial Strategy and later moved into line leadership, including Director, Supply Chain Development and senior finance and operations posts at John Lewis & Partners. 

In February 2020 she became Executive Director, Customer Service, before being appointed Executive Director for Finance in January 2021, serving as both an executive and board director. 

According to the Partnership, Bérangère supported improved performance and strengthened long-term financial health, leaving the business on a strong footing before her departure in late 2024.

Prior to joining the Partnership, Bérangère spent 11 years at the Royal Mail Group in a number of finance, change and strategy roles, including as Finance Director of the property division.

Beyond corporate leadership, Bérangère also holds a trustee role in the charity sector. 

World Animal Protection lists her as Deputy Chair of its International Board of Trustees, a position that reflects experience in oversight, accountability and long-term stewardship.

Looking ahead at her new role, Bérangère says: “I am delighted to be joining the BBC, an institution whose purpose and mission I have always admired. It’s a privilege to be part of shaping its exciting future at such a crucial moment and I cannot wait to get started.”