BC’s director of sport Barbara Slater has introduced she might be retiring subsequent spring after 14 years within the position.

Slater, a former Olympic gymnast, made historical past on the company when she grew to become the primary feminine appointed to the highest sports activities govt place.

During her time within the position, she has overseen 14 males’s and girls’s soccer World Cups and European Championships, seven Olympic Games and was in cost through the boycott by sports activities presenters and pundits in help of Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker earlier this 12 months.

BBC director-general Tim Davie hailed Slater as a “pioneer, innovator and outstanding leader” who saved the broadcaster on the “forefront of sport for a generation”.

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Reflecting on her 4 a long time on the BBC, Slater mentioned: “It was this week 40 years ago that I first walked through the doors at Broadcasting House.

“A career in BBC Sport has been an absolute passion, never just a job.

“Since joining in 1983 I’ve been privileged to have had such amazing opportunities and the delight of working with such talented colleagues and partners.

“There are a huge number of people to thank, and so many magical memories to reflect upon.”

The sport’s director famous numerous standout moments within the position included main BBC’s Sports relocation to Salford and overseeing the corporate’s drive in direction of digital.

She added: “I also hope that in showcasing the brilliance of women’s sport the BBC has played its part in changing attitudes, increasing its profile and inspiring the next generation.

“I must also make special mention of the Olympic Games having been a competitor in 1976 and then leading the sport teams covering a home Games in 2012.

“It was a monumental achievement for the BBC and everyone involved, as the UK hosted a sensational Olympics in London.

“I will be following the BBC’s coverage of Paris next summer, this time as a proud sports fan.”

In March, Slater issued an apology to employees after the sports activities schedule was disrupted by presenters and pundits boycotting their exhibits in solidarity with Lineker after he was briefly taken off air after tweeting a criticism of the language utilized by the Government to advertise its asylum plans, saying it was not dissimilar to that utilized in Nineteen Thirties Germany.

Lineker later returned to air and Davie mentioned the company had commissioned an impartial evaluate of its social media tips, significantly for freelancers.

Following the announcement of Slater’s departure, Davie mentioned: “Barbara has had an extraordinary career at the BBC, a pioneer, innovator and outstanding leader, she has kept the BBC at the forefront of sport for a generation.

“I wish her well.

“She will leave the BBC with a tremendous legacy.”

The BBC’s chief content material officer Charlotte Moore added: “Barbara has had an extraordinary career at the BBC and leaves a legacy few will ever be able to replicate.

“She is a much-respected leader, a real trailblazer for women in the industry who can proudly say she has inspired the next generation.”

Slater joined the BBC in 1983 as a trainee assistant producer within the pure historical past unit earlier than shifting into BBC Sport, specialising in exterior broadcasts and overseeing the manufacturing of a variety of sports activities, together with tennis and golf.

She moved up the ranks to roles together with turning into head of manufacturing and head of normal sports activities earlier than being appointed as director of sport in April 2009.

In 2014, she was awarded an OBE for companies to sport broadcasting following on from the BBC’s broadcast of the 2012 London Olympics.