He read Classics at Balliol College, Oxford.

He joined the BBC in 1983. He was a producer and director for the Arts and Music department, making programmes for Omnibus, Bookmark (1992-7) and Arena. He was a producer and later became editor of The Late Show. In 1997, he became head of programming for UKTV. In 1999, he became the BBC Controller of Digital Channels. In 2000, he also took on the responsibility of Controller of Arts Commissioning. He became the Controller of digital television station BBC Four in December 2001, masterminding its March 2 2002 launch. In 2003, he was also joint leader of the BBC's Charter Review project for six months. He became the channel controller for BBC Two in June 2004. He was appointed temporary controller of BBC One following Peter Fincham's resignation on 5 October 2007.

He wants to see BBC Two be the first mainstream TV channel to be available on broadband.

His decision to screen the Jerry Springer Opera on January 8 2005 forced him to remain in hiding and was given security protection.

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