BBC Trust chairman Sir Michael Lyons will not seek to be re-appointed when his four-year term ends next May. The Trust aims to support the BBC, guard its independence and act in the best interest of licence fee payers.

In a letter to the Minister for Culture and Media Lyons said the Trust is “robust, workable and effective,” but also acknowledged that “much of course remains to be done,” after various bouts of criticism of the BBC in recent times.

Lyons said the job had been more “demanding” than specified and it was not allowing him to give time to other projects.

Minister Jeremy Hunt told the BBC, although there are no plans to change the existing governing structure of the BBC within the current parliament, there are new suggestions on how BBC governance can be improved, including appointing a non-executive chairman.

The BBC Trust replaced the BBC’s board of governors in January 2007. The government said it was intended to ensure an “unprecedented obligation to openness and transparency.” The change came in the wake of the Hutton Report in 2004, which highlighted problems with the governors’ dual role as both the corporation’s champions and regulators.

 The Controller of BBC 1, Jay Hunt, is also quitting to take up the role of chief Creative Officer at Channel 4.

British newspapers have widely reported the news, with the downmarket Daily Mail using the opportunity to have a shot at the BBC over recent controversies, click link below to read the article.