SIR BOB PHILLISSir Bob Phillis, who died on 22 December, 2009, aged 64, was a British media mogul who had a 30-year career in television and newspapers, culminating in being chief executive of the Guardian Media Group.He also had top management posts at Carlton Communications, ITN and the BBC.Robert Weston Phillis, born 3 December, 1945, was a grammar school pupil and printing works apprentice who lectured on industrial relations at universities before entering broadcasting in the late 1970s.He worked first for Independent Television, then Carlton, where he helped the company win permission to broadcast in London.From 1991 to 1993 he was chief executive of ITN, helping establish a more modern version of the flagship News at Ten fronted by Trevor McDonald.He then became deputy director-general of the BBC from 1993 to 1997 (under John Birt), also running the World Service and BBC Worldwide. In this time he forged relationships with emerging broadcasters such as Virgin and established the Discovery and UKTV channels. He also negotiated the BBC charter with the government.In 1997 he brought his expertise and experience to the Guardian Media Group, spearheading brave but successful ventures in the fields of radio and car sales publishing. He was also known as a passionate supporter of the 2002 Commonwealth Games held in Manchester which GMG sponsored.He was knighted in 2004. Away from work he was known as a keen sportsman, playing tennis and golf and undertaking daring mountain treks. He was married to wife Jean from 1966 and had three sons.
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