Marmaduke Hussey, Baron Hussey of North Bradley

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Marmaduke James Hussey, Baron Hussey of North Bradley (29 August 1923 – 27 December 2006), known as Duke Hussey, was Chairman of the Board of Governors of the BBC from 1986–96, fulfilling two terms in that role.

Education and career[]

Hussey was educated at Rugby School and Trinity College, Oxford. He served in the Grenadier Guards in World War II and was severely injured at Anzio, having to have a leg amputated as a prisoner-of-war, which resulted in his repatriation.[1]

He joined Associated Newspapers where he had a long career, culminating in being appointed managing director. He subsequently joined Times Newspapers as chief executive and managing director, a post he held from 1971–80.[2]

Chairman of the BBC[]

He was appointed Chairman of the BBC in 1986, upon the death of Stuart Young, thanks in part to his close connections to the ruling Conservative Party.[1]

Within three months of joining the BBC, he had forced the resignation of the Director-General, Alasdair Milne, following a series of rows in recent years between the BBC and the Conservative government.[3] In the 1990s, Hussey fell out with Director General John Birt over his management style and Panorama's controversial interview with Diana, Princess of Wales in 1995.[4][5]

On 11 September 1996, Hussey was made a life peer as Baron Hussey of North Bradley, of North Bradley in the County of Wiltshire.[6]

Hussey gave up several boardroom appointments when he took up his job at the BBC, but he remained chairman of the Royal Marsden Hospital until 1998.[1]

Family[]

His wife Lady Susan Hussey is a Woman of the Bedchamber to Elizabeth II and is also godmother to the Duke of Cambridge. He had a son and a daughter with his wife.[1]

Death[]

Marmaduke Hussey died at the age of 83 on 27 December 2006.[2]

Arms[]

Coat of arms of Marmaduke Hussey, Baron Hussey of North Bradley hide
Hussey of North Bradley Achievement.png
Crest
A greyhound sejant sable grasping in the dexter paw a caduceus or.
Escutcheon
Argent on three bars sable five crowns in cross or.
Supporters
On either side a hind argent unguled and gorged with a collar or pendent therefrom by a string sable a bugle horn or virolled and stringed sable.
Motto
Malevolis Resiste[7]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Obituary, The Guardian, 27 December 2006.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b Lord Hussey of North Bradley: Obituary, The Times; accessed 26 March 2016.
  3. ^ "Obituary: Lord Hussey of North Bradley". BBC News. 27 December 2006.
  4. ^ "I wanted Birt out, says his old boss at BBC". The Guardian. 29 October 2001. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  5. ^ Demetriou, Danielle (27 October 2001). "Hussey says Birt was his greatest mistake". Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  6. ^ "No. 54527". The London Gazette. 17 September 1996. p. 12351.
  7. ^ Debrett's Peerage. 2000.

Further reading[]

  • Hussey, Marmaduke (2001). Chance Governs All: a memoir. London: Macmillan. ISBN 0333902564.

External links[]

Preceded by
Stuart Young 		Chairman of the BBC Board of Governors
1986 – 1996 		Succeeded by
Christopher Bland
Retrieved from ""