BSkyB recruits heavyweight non-execs

BSkyB is preparing to recruit three new heavyweight independent non-executive directors in a move that could lead to Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation being outvoted on major board decisions for the first time since he founded the company in 1989.

The individuals the group proposes to appoint include Gail Rebuck, the chief executive of publisher Random House, and Jacques Nasser, the former boss of Ford.

The hiring of Ms Rebuck is likely to raise questions about Mr Murdoch's relationship with Labour - she is the wife of the prime minister's polling guru, Philip Gould. Last summer the couple were reported to have been on holiday in Provence with Mr Blair's press chief, Alistair Campbell.

Mr Blair's former press officer, Tim Allan, is also an external public relations adviser to BSkyB. The identity of the third director is unknown.

The appointments are part of what BSkyB insiders say is a big push to improve its corporate governance.

Analysts believe senior BSkyB executives are eager to dispel the perception among many investors that the company is the personal fiefdom of Mr Murdoch, a 36.2% shareholder through News Corp.

However, some are sceptical about how much power News Corp will cede. All shareholders will have the chance to vote on the appointments at BSkyB's annual meeting on November 8.

Mr Murdoch is expected to chair the session in London and all five News Corp-appointed non-executive directors on the BSkyB board will put themselves up for re-election for the first time.

BSkyB said in its last annual report that it was working with an executive recruitment firm to increase the number of independent directors on its board. The recruitment of the new directors will increase the number of independents on the company's board to eight.

The five News Corp directors include Les Hinton, chief executive of News International, publisher of the Times, Sun News of the World and Sunday Times.

BSkyB chief executive Tony Ball and chief financial officer Martin Stewart are the only executive directors. They are perceived by many investors to be allied to News Corp.

The existing independents on the BSkyB board include Post Office boss Allan Leighton, Goldman Sachs banker John Thornton and Allied Domecq chief executive Philip Bowman.

Mr Thornton led the flotation of the satellite broadcaster in 1994 and is a long-term adviser to Mr Murdoch.