Barbara Slater (sports producer)
Barbara Slater CBE | |
|---|---|
Barbara Slater at the Nations & Regions Media Conference in 2012 | |
| Born | Barbara Jane Slater 10 May 1959 Birmingham, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Sports producer |
| Years active | 1983-2024 |
| Known for | BBC Director of Sport |
Barbara Jane Slater, CBE (born 10 May 1959) is a former English sports producer, who was BBC Director of Sport for 15 years before retiring in March 2024. She was also an ex-Olympic gymnast who represented Great Britain at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal.
Slater became the BBC's first female Director of Sport in April 2009, retiring from the role in March 2024 after overseeing fourteen different football World Cups and European Championships and seven Olympic Games. BBC director-general Tim Davie paid tribute to her career following the announcement of her retirement, saying: “Barbara has had an extraordinary career at the BBC, a pioneer, innovator and outstanding leader, she has kept the BBC at the forefront of sport for a generation." Previous to her Director role, she had been the BBC's Head of Production and Head of General Sports for a number of years. Slater was succeeded as Director of Sport by Alex Kay-Jelski.