Stuart Young (1934-1986)
Encyclopedia
Stuart Young was an English
business executive and accountant.
Stuart was the brother of a former UK cabinet minister David Young, Baron Young of Graffham
. He succeeded George Howard
as the chairman of the BBC
board of governors in 1983 and remained in this role until his early death from cancer
in 1986. When he first became a BBC governor in 1981 he argued that the BBC should be funded by advertising. However, he later changed his mind and argued for the continuation of the television licence
during the Peacock Committee
. This disappointed Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher
, who disliked the Television licence
and had originally appointed Young believing that, as a Conservative, he would challenge the more left-leaning Director-General of the BBC
, Alasdair Milne
. She believed that Young had “gone native” and was now supporting the BBC instead of the government.
At the time of his death, Stuart had with his wife Shirley, two daughters - Lesley and Lynda - a son-in-law, Denis, and one year old granddaughter, Sophie. His family has since grown with the addition of 5 more grandchildren from both his daughters. Lesley and Denis (Sophie, Georgia, Harry and Imogen) and Lynda, with Michael (Mark and James). In 2010, his first great-grandson was born.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
business executive and accountant.
Stuart was the brother of a former UK cabinet minister David Young, Baron Young of Graffham
David Young, Baron Young of Graffham
David Ivor Young, Baron Young of Graffham, PC DL is a British Conservative politician and businessman.-Early life:Young is the elder son of a businessman who imported flour and later set up as a manufacturer of coats for children...
. He succeeded George Howard
George Howard, Baron Howard of Henderskelfe
Major George Anthony Geoffrey Howard, Baron Howard of Henderskelfe, JP was a British politician, soldier and media man....
as the chairman of the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
board of governors in 1983 and remained in this role until his early death from cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
in 1986. When he first became a BBC governor in 1981 he argued that the BBC should be funded by advertising. However, he later changed his mind and argued for the continuation of the television licence
Television licence
A television licence is an official licence required in many countries for the reception of television broadcasts...
during the Peacock Committee
Peacock Committee
The Peacock Committee, was a review into financing of the BBC. It was initiated by the Conservative government of Margaret Thatcher on March 27, 1985 and reporting on May 29, 1986. The committee was led by Professor Alan Peacock. The other 6 members were Samuel Brittan, Judith Chalmers, Jeremy...
. This disappointed Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990...
, who disliked the Television licence
Television licence
A television licence is an official licence required in many countries for the reception of television broadcasts...
and had originally appointed Young believing that, as a Conservative, he would challenge the more left-leaning Director-General of the BBC
Director-General of the BBC
The Director-General of the British Broadcasting Corporation is chief executive and editor-in-chief of the BBC.The position was formerly appointed by the Board of Governors of the BBC and is now appointed by the BBC Trust....
, Alasdair Milne
Alasdair Milne
Alasdair David Gordon Milne is a former BBC producer who became Controller of BBC Scotland, the BBC's Director of Programmes and then Director-General of the BBC in July 1982. His resignation was forced by the BBC Governors in January 1987, following pressure from the Thatcher government...
. She believed that Young had “gone native” and was now supporting the BBC instead of the government.
At the time of his death, Stuart had with his wife Shirley, two daughters - Lesley and Lynda - a son-in-law, Denis, and one year old granddaughter, Sophie. His family has since grown with the addition of 5 more grandchildren from both his daughters. Lesley and Denis (Sophie, Georgia, Harry and Imogen) and Lynda, with Michael (Mark and James). In 2010, his first great-grandson was born.