Richard Sharp (banker)
Richard Simon Sharp (born 8 February 1956) is a British former banker who became chairman of the BBC in February 2021. Following the findings of the Heppinstall inquiry into the appointment process, Sharp submitted his resignation to the BBC Board and to the Culture Secretary, which took effect at the end of June 2023.
Richard Sharp | |
|---|---|
| Chairman of the BBC | |
| In office 10 February 2021 – 27 June 2023 | |
| Preceded by | David Clementi |
| Succeeded by | Elan Closs Stephens (acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Richard Simon Sharp 8 February 1956 London, England |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 4 |
| Parents |
|
| Relatives | Victoria Sharp (twin sister) |
| Education | Merchant Taylors' School, Northwood |
| Alma mater | Christ Church, Oxford |
| Occupation | Banker, Chair of the BBC |
Sharp worked for JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs, and served as chairman of the Royal Academy of Arts (2007–2012) and as a member of the Bank of England's Financial Policy Committee (2013–2019). While at Goldman Sachs, Sharp managed future Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Commentators had observed that his relationship with Sunak would probably help him to lead negotiations with the government over the future of the BBC's licence fee.
Sharp has donated more than £400,000 to the Conservative Party. He helped to secure an £800,000 loan to Boris Johnson during his tenure as Prime Minister and this led to the inquiry and his resignation.