BBC hires Bain & Co to review strategy as funding squeeze looms

The BBC has drafted in one of the world’s largest consulting firms to conduct a review of its strategy as it faces the potential abolition of the television licence fee.

Sky News has learnt that the corporation has engaged management consultants from Bain & Co to help draw up a wide-ranging blueprint for its future.

Sources said the work was expected to include a contribution to the debate about the BBC’s future funding, which was the subject of a string of threats under the administration of Boris Johnson, the departing prime minister.

Bain’s appointment by the BBC board is understood to have been signed off prior to the consulting firm being handed a three-year ban from tendering for UK public sector contracts.

The ban was issued by Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Cabinet Office minister, amid concerns about its involvement in a corruption scandal in South Africa.

Bain & Co is reportedly seeking to overturn the decision.

Insiders pointed out that the BBC’s appointment of Bain & Co was made independently, and did not require government approval.

Nadine Dorries, Mr Johnson’s culture secretary, said earlier this year that the TV licence fee was “completely outdated” and that the government would review the future funding options for the public service broadcaster.

It is unclear whether Ms Dorries will remain in that post under Liz Truss, the new prime minister, or whether a review of the BBC’s funding would be a priority for the new Conservative administration.

The fee that Bain & Co will earn from its work for the BBC is unclear, although a substantial sum may ignite anger among critics of the corporation amid an ongoing round of cuts to jobs and BBC services.

A spokesman said: “The BBC on occasion seeks external support and they are helping inform work on future strategy.”