"The BBC’s best days lie ahead" - Tony Hall sets out "next chapter" for the BBC

Today, in his first day in the job, Tony Hall, the new Director-General of the BBC, set out the "next chapter" for the BBC, telling staff that he believed "with imagination and hard work, the BBC's best days lie ahead of us.”

In an email to all staff, he outlined a number of questions he believes the BBC needs to address over the coming months. He told staff that he wants to listen to their views, which - along with those of audiences and partners - will be key in shaping the BBC's ambitions. He will review these themes with the BBC Trust and then set out his thinking in the autumn.

In the letter, Mr Hall says:

"It is a great honour to start today as Director-General of the BBC. This is a very special organisation. It enriches millions of lives every day, here and the world over. It provokes strong opinions because people care passionately about it. The BBC has a unique history, a special place in the country's heart and a vital part to play in its future. So I have a very real sense of the responsibility that comes with the role."

Mr Hall went on to acknowledge that recent times had been difficult for the organisation, "but obviously far more so for those directly affected by these events. We are learning the lessons and thanks to the hard work of staff across the organisation under Tim’s excellent leadership, the BBC has moved forward. We are now winning back trust, something which will always be the most precious commodity for our organisation. We must never take it for granted."

Mr Hall finished by saying: "it is a time for the BBC to be self-confident and optimistic about the future. You produce brilliant programmes and content, day in, day out. There can be no complacency but I firmly believe with imagination and hard work the BBC's best days lie ahead of us."