Nils Blythe
Encyclopedia
Nils Blythe is a British journalist who worked for BBC News
until 2011. He specialises in business and economics. He is currently Executive Director of Communications at the Bank of England
and Christ's College Cambridge.
and then as a researcher/writer for the Consumers' Association
. He joined the Investors Chronicle
as a reporter in 1987 and moved to the Financial Unit of BBC News in 1988. From 1990 to 1994 he was the Business Correspondent of the Today Programme
on BBC Radio 4
, covering stories including Black Wednesday
, the Bank of Credit and Commerce International
(BCCI) scandal and the death of Robert Maxwell
.
In 1994 he moved to The Money Programme
on BBC television
, reporting on business and economic developments around the world. His films included reports on the economic impact of AIDS in Africa, the aftermath of war in Kosovo
, the business of mapping the human genome and an investigation into the role of investment banks in creating the internet share bubble. In 2001 he was the launch presenter of Business Today, a nightly programme about business and economics on the BBC News Channel. Edward George, then Governor of the Bank of England, was one of the first programme guests.
In 2004, he returned to radio as a business correspondent and played a leading role in the BBC coverage of the financial crisis, beginning in 2007. In 2005, he accompanied then UK Chancellor Gordon Brown on a visit to China, and also reported from Mumbai on the problems of global population increase. He presented a daily account of developments in the UK's credit crunch on PM (Radio 4)
with Eddie Mair
, entitled Upshares Downshares, a pun on the name of the television drama series Upstairs Downstairs. Listeners sent in musical variations on the original theme music for Upstairs Downstairs by Sandy Faris, which were used to introduce each programme and were eventually collected on a CD sold in aid of BBC Children in Need
. On 17 February 2011, Blythe announced that he would be leaving the BBC
to become Executive Director of Communications at the Bank of England
. He replaces another former BBC journalist, Jenny Scott
, in this role until March 2012.
BBC News
BBC News is the department of the British Broadcasting Corporation responsible for the gathering and broadcasting of news and current affairs. The department is the world's largest broadcast news organisation and generates about 120 hours of radio and television output each day, as well as online...
until 2011. He specialises in business and economics. He is currently Executive Director of Communications at the Bank of England
Bank of England
The Bank of England is the central bank of the United Kingdom and the model on which most modern central banks have been based. Established in 1694, it is the second oldest central bank in the world...
Early life and education
Blythe is the son of an English father and Danish-born mother. He was educated at Ipswich SchoolIpswich School
Ipswich School is a co-educational public school for girls and boys aged 3 to 18. Situated in Suffolk, England in the town of Ipswich, it was founded in its current form as The King's School, Ipswich by Thomas Wolsey in 1528....
and Christ's College Cambridge.
Career
Blythe worked as an editor for publishers Hodder & StoughtonHodder & Stoughton
Hodder & Stoughton is a British publishing house, now an imprint of Hachette.-History:The firm has its origins in the 1840s, with Matthew Hodder's employment, aged fourteen, with Messrs Jackson and Walford, the official publisher for the Congregational Union...
and then as a researcher/writer for the Consumers' Association
Consumers' Association
The Consumers' Association is the umbrella organisation that houses the trading arm Which? Ltd. The Consumers' Association is a charity, registered in England and Wales No 296072. Which? Ltd is its wholly owned trading subsidiary....
. He joined the Investors Chronicle
Investors Chronicle
The Investors Chronicle is a weekly magazine in the United Kingdom for private investors and is published by the Financial Times Group. The magazine publishes articles about global markets and sectors, and news on corporate actions such as takeovers and share issues...
as a reporter in 1987 and moved to the Financial Unit of BBC News in 1988. From 1990 to 1994 he was the Business Correspondent of the Today Programme
Today programme
Today is BBC Radio 4's long-running early morning news and current affairs programme, now broadcast from 6.00 am to 9.00 am Monday to Friday, and 7.00 am to 9.00 am on Saturdays. It is also the most popular programme on Radio 4 and one of the BBC's most popular programmes across its radio networks...
on BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
, covering stories including Black Wednesday
Black Wednesday
In politics and economics, Black Wednesday refers to the events of 16 September 1992 when the British Conservative government was forced to withdraw the pound sterling from the European Exchange Rate Mechanism after they were unable to keep it above its agreed lower limit...
, the Bank of Credit and Commerce International
Bank of Credit and Commerce International
The Bank of Credit and Commerce International was a major international bank founded in 1972 by Agha Hasan Abedi, a Pakistani financier. The Bank was registered in Luxembourg with head offices in Karachi and London. Within a decade BCCI touched its peak...
(BCCI) scandal and the death of Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell
Ian Robert Maxwell MC was a Czechoslovakian-born British media proprietor and former Member of Parliament , who rose from poverty to build an extensive publishing empire...
.
In 1994 he moved to The Money Programme
The Money Programme
The Money Programme is a finance and business affairs television programme on BBC2.It was first broadcast on 5 April 1966 and presented by "commentators" William Davis, Erskine Childers and Joe Roeber. At this time David Attenborough was the controller of BBC2...
on BBC television
BBC Television
BBC Television is a service of the British Broadcasting Corporation. The corporation, which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a Royal Charter since 1927, has produced television programmes from its own studios since 1932, although the start of its regular service of television...
, reporting on business and economic developments around the world. His films included reports on the economic impact of AIDS in Africa, the aftermath of war in Kosovo
Kosovo
Kosovo is a region in southeastern Europe. Part of the Ottoman Empire for more than five centuries, later the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia...
, the business of mapping the human genome and an investigation into the role of investment banks in creating the internet share bubble. In 2001 he was the launch presenter of Business Today, a nightly programme about business and economics on the BBC News Channel. Edward George, then Governor of the Bank of England, was one of the first programme guests.
In 2004, he returned to radio as a business correspondent and played a leading role in the BBC coverage of the financial crisis, beginning in 2007. In 2005, he accompanied then UK Chancellor Gordon Brown on a visit to China, and also reported from Mumbai on the problems of global population increase. He presented a daily account of developments in the UK's credit crunch on PM (Radio 4)
PM (Radio 4)
PM, sometimes referred to as the PM programme to avoid ambiguity, is BBC Radio 4's long-running early evening news and current affairs programme.-Broadcast times:...
with Eddie Mair
Eddie Mair
Eddie Mair is a British BBC radio and television presenter. He presents BBC Radio 4's daily news magazine PM also the Radio 4 Saturday only iPM and the BBC's NewsPod, is an occasional presenter of Newsnight, the stand-in presenter for Any Questions replacing the late Nick Clarke, and was the...
, entitled Upshares Downshares, a pun on the name of the television drama series Upstairs Downstairs. Listeners sent in musical variations on the original theme music for Upstairs Downstairs by Sandy Faris, which were used to introduce each programme and were eventually collected on a CD sold in aid of BBC Children in Need
Children in Need
Children in Need is an annual British charity appeal organised by the BBC. Since 1980 it has raised over £500 million. The highlight of the Children in Need appeal is an annual telethon, held in November. A teddy bear named "Pudsey Bear" fronts the campaign, while Terry Wogan is a long...
. On 17 February 2011, Blythe announced that he would be leaving 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...
to become Executive Director of Communications at the Bank of England
Bank of England
The Bank of England is the central bank of the United Kingdom and the model on which most modern central banks have been based. Established in 1694, it is the second oldest central bank in the world...
. He replaces another former BBC journalist, Jenny Scott
Jenny Scott
Jenny Scott is an English journalist and economist.-Early life:A native of Windsor, Berkshire, Jenny Scott had an adventurous childhood, travelling through West Africa and Australia due to her father's career as an engineer...
, in this role until March 2012.
Personal life
Blythe is married with three children and lives in Hertfordshire. He is a keen supporter of Arsenal FC.External links
- Leaving the Euro: how would it work? BBCBBCThe 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...