Peter S Phippen, Former Board Director, BBC Worldwide; Chair, NHS Charities Together
- Landing his first job at IPC Magazines — combining creativity with commercial skills
- Leading the sale of BBC Magazines — taking on a plural career
Podcast
Overview
In this compelling episode of The Brand Called You, host Ashutosh Garg sits down for an insightful conversation with Peter S. Phippen—former Managing Director of BBC Magazines, main Board Director at BBC Worldwide (now BBC Studios), and current Chair of NHS Charities Together, among many other philanthropic and leadership roles. Joining from London, Peter unpacks a fascinating career that bridges the worlds of media, business, and charitable impact.
00:01:22- What were the key milestones in Peter’s diverse career across media, education, and philanthropy?
- Landing his first job at IPC Magazines — combining creativity with commercial skills
- Leading the sale of BBC Magazines — taking on a plural career
- Importance of experiencing both corporate and entrepreneurial life.
00:04:01- Why choose a “plural career” after traditional executive life?
- Strategic self-reflection before transitioning from executive roles.
- Desire to do multiple things: business, charity, government, and start-ups.
- Value of enjoying work, picking collaborators, and maintaining freedom.
00:05:26- How did international leadership shape Peter’s style?
- Worked in the UK, US, India, and Australia.
- Stressed authenticity—being himself in all settings.
- Focused on uniting teams with shared goals and learning from cultural differences.
00:06:49- How did Peter balance public service and commercial strategy at the BBC?
- Ensured commercial ventures complemented the BBC’s public service ethic.
- Stressed the need for consistent brand values, regardless of revenue source.
- Focused on expanding the BBC’s reach without compromising core values.
00:07:48- What guided BBC’s international licensing during Peter’s tenure?
- Maintaining BBC brand integrity in new markets.
- Delivering unique BBC value and experience even when monetization models differed.
00:08:58- How should broadcasters engage youth in the age of short-form, social content?
- Meet audiences where they are: social media, mobile platforms.
- Don’t “dumb down” content; maintain quality and distinction from user-generated content.
- Emphasized the importance of trust and journalistic rigor.
00:12:26- How has the BBC’s global brand evolved in a fragmented media landscape?
- Noted an oversaturated marketplace but a rising need for trust.
- BBC stands out as a reliable, trusted institution, even in a noisy landscape.
- Expressed belief in the BBC as an “anachronism” worth preserving.
RESOURCES:
Learn more about Peter S Phippen: LinkedIN
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Profile
- Landing his first job at IPC Magazines — combining creativity with commercial skills
- Leading the sale of BBC Magazines — taking on a plural career
- Importance of experiencing both corporate and entrepreneurial life.
