John Shield

John Shield joined the BBC as Director of Communications in November 2013. He is responsible for all of the BBC's communications activity.

Prior to this John was Director of Communications at the Department for Work and Pensions - John headed up all the communications activity for the department, including press, marketing and internal communications.

John has both private and public sector experience, having been a Director at one of Britain's largest transport businesses and the Head of Communications for news, current affairs and sport at the BBC. He was also Director of Communications at the Department for Communications and Local Government, and Head of News at the Department for Education and Skills. He has also worked at the Foreign Office and No. 10.