BBC Chairman
On 1 May 2007, Lyons became Chairman of the BBC Trust, which also carries the title BBC Chairman. He was appointed to the position after Michael Grade left the BBC to become Executive Chairman of rival broadcaster ITV. On 3 August 2007 a House of Lords all-party select committee criticised the way the appointment was handled, saying government ministers had too much influence over his appointment. Lyons dismissed the allegations, pledging "absolute independence and impartiality".
On 14 September 2010 Lyons announced he had written to Jeremy Hunt, the Culture Secretary, to explain that he will serve for only one four year term and will not seek reappointment in May 2011. He cited a growing workload for the part-time role had made him anxious which in turn had been "crowding out" other demands on his own time. He was succeeded in May 2011 by Lord Patten of Barnes.
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