Veteran TV executive Samir Shah could be named as the new chairman of the BBC as early as Wednesday afternoon.
The 71-year old has a four-decade career in television, beginning at London Weekend Television in 1979 and including a term as a non-executive director of the BBC, and a spell as its head of current affairs.
The appointment is a political one and will first require the sign-off of the prime minister.
In April, former Goldman Sachs banker Richard Sharp announced he would step down as chairman of the BBC after he was found to have breached the code for public appointments.
Dr Shah is currently chief executive and creative director of Juniper, the independent television and radio production company, which specialises in current affairs, history, science, arts and pop culture.
He is also a Commissioner for the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities.
