Programmes that Inform, Educate and Entertain

We said goodbye to our lovely colleague Christine this evening, who has retired today after a long career at BBC Radio. Having just been discussing the Corporation we first joined in the 1970's, and feeling a little nostalgic, I decided to stop by this bust of the BBC's first Director General, John Reith, who watches over the daily comings and goings in Old Broadcasting House reception.

During his time in charge, Reith made central to the way he ran the BBC the mission to "enrich people's lives with programmes and services that inform, educate and entertain". These so-called Reithian Principles still form part of the Royal Charter and Agreement, the constitutional basis for the Corporation.

But although Lord Reith's influence in shaping the BBC can still be felt today, Christine has beaten him hands down for length of service. While she has worked here for 40 years, Reith was at the BBC for only 16.