BBC executive ‘owns mistake’ of killing ensembles
NewsDeborah Annetts, Chief Executive of ISM, has just posted an exculpatory tweet about Simon Webb, director of BBC orchestras and choirs.
She says: ‘Simon Webb says that BBC now much clearer after the challenges of 2023 of why the BBC should have orchestras and choirs. Says proposal to close BBC Singers was a mistake and he owns that mistake. Thank you Simon, that means a lot.’
Words are very, very cheap. So this character casually fucks with the heads (and career prospects) of his employees for well over twelve months: then throws out a few emollient platitudes and suddenly he’s off the hook? He’s “owned” this screw-up once he’s resigned, and not before.
Ms Annetts has fallen for snake oil from one of the industry’s most practised blaggers, though in fairness she’s not the first (or he wouldn’t be where he is today).
Oh well, that’s alright then! Why is this man still in his BBC position? An honorable man would have resigned after the disgraceful shambles of his decision making As if if ‘taking ownership’ of a mistake exonerates him from the stress and anxiety he caused in devaluing the musicians he was meant to nurture and promote. He really should be taking ownership of a P45.
“Owns” in what sense? Just that it was his mistake, or there are consequences to be visited on him for that mistake? It isn’t clear from the report, and without that clarity it doesn’t seem to be a substantive statement.
He was previously general manager of the BBC Philharmonic with loads of experience, so he knew exactly what he was doing. If he didn’t, then he shouldn’t be in this position within the BBC.
Absolutely shocking.
Everyone asking why is this character still in post ?
Well, here it is:
He wrote the infamous March ’23 strategy in 2022, before sitting on the steering committee that split BBC music executive roles into three areas, controller R3, business/commercial, performing groups (his suggestion, as the resident “expert” the BBC deferred to him). He created the role of Head of Orchestras and Choirs (sic), up one executive salary bracket from his previous job at the BBC Phil, which he performed with notable “aplomb”apparently; he in effect promoted himself. The manifesto he took to Davey and Moore was brutal cost cutting. They enthusiastically bought it.
British classical music didn’t, and pushed back at the cultural vandalism.
He “owns it”? That’ll be the unaccountable, unassailable position of power. It’s the Zeitgeist, folks.
Still in post, more surprises in store.
Any further questions on a postcard to Dock House, Salford.
I have it on very good authority that there are still major threats to the BBC orchestras which are probably unsolvable as long as Simon Webb is there. His speech was all about putting himself in a better light – most people see straight through that.
Thank you, Simon, that means nothing.
Cultural vandalism.
The BBC could save a substantial amount of £ by sacking Simon Webb.
Back to Neandertal…