Jessica Cecil

Jessica is a Director at the BBC, leading the Trusted News Initiative, the unique global alliance of major tech platforms and publishers tackling disinformation. Before that, she led the BBC Online project, tasked with focusing and reshaping the BBC's digital services. She was Controller of BBC Make it Digital, leading the BBC's major initiative to inspire a new generation to get creative with digital technology. With partner organisations, it has developed a codeable computer, the BBC micro:bit, and given it free to 1 million 11 and 12 year olds across the UK. The BBC micro:bit is now on sale in 50 countries, with 5 million devices used by 20 million children worldwide. Before this she was Chief of Staff to four BBC Director-Generals. In 2011, she led the strategic change programme to focus BBC spending and save £700 million a year. She is an Emmy-nominated programme maker, and senior journalist, and was Assistant Editor of BBC Newsnight. Jessica is on the advisory body of the charity IntoUniversity and of Rand Europe, and is on the International Council of the Wallace Collection.