±«Óătv

Mark Damazer, Trustee

The ±«Óătv expands cultural horizons and can make us think, laugh and cry.

About Mark Damazer

Mark started work in broadcasting in 1975 as a trainee journalist with ITN. He moved to the ±«Óătv World Service in 1981 and embarked on a career spanning nearly 30 years with the Corporation.

During the 1980s and 1990s Mark edited the Nine O’Clock News, becoming Editor of Television News Programmes and then Head of Current Affairs in 1996. In 1998 he moved on to work as Head of Political Programmes before being made Assistant Director of ±«Óătv News in 1999 and Deputy Director in 2001.

In 2004 Mark was appointed Controller of Radio 4 and Radio 7 (now Radio 4 Extra), where he remained for six years before leaving the ±«Óătv to take up the position of Master of St Peter’s College, Oxford in 2010; a position he still holds.
Mark was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2011 New Year Honours for services to broadcasting.

Past Trusteeships include sitting on the board of Mental Health Media, Vice Chairman of the International Press Institute and an external board member for the Centre of Contemporary British History.

He is a Trustee of the V&A and an Honorary Fellow of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge.

Mark lives in Oxford and South London with his wife, Rosemary Morgan. He has two children.

Mark says:

"The ±«Óătv at its best is a force for enlightenment. It expresses noble ideas of impartiality and fairness. It expands cultural horizons and can make us think, laugh and cry. It should strive always to satisfy audiences with great programmes and content – and should not shirk the expectations and responsibilities of its unique funding base. It will at times fall short – but it should never lose sight of its core mission – to inform, educate and entertain."