Marinella Soldi, the President of Rai, has announced her intention to step down from her role. She communicated her decision through a letter addressed to the Minister of Economy, Giancarlo Giorgetti, indicating that her resignation will take effect on August 10, 2024.
Soldi cited both personal and professional reasons for her departure. The Board of Directors meeting scheduled for next week will formally address her resignation.
During her tenure at Rai, Soldi worked to improve programming quality and drive digital innovation. Her resignation may bring about significant changes within the organisation, as Rai will now seek a successor to continue advancing its strategic goals and fulfilling its mission as Italy’s national public broadcaster.
The upcoming Board of Directors meeting will discuss the consequences of Soldi’s resignation and plan for Rai’s future leadership. Throughout this transition, stakeholders and employees will be seeking assurance of stability and continuity in Rai’s operations and strategic direction.
Italy’s opposition parties have accused the government of attempting to take over Rai, while the broadcaster’s internal union has claimed it has become a government mouthpiece. Premier Giorgia Meloni has dismissed these accusations, stating that the government is “balancing” the broadcaster after years of alleged liberal dominance.
In May, journalists at Rai went on strike accusing the government of stifling free speech.
New Role at BBC Commercial
Soldi will be joining BBC Commercial, a branch of the BBC. The BBC Commercial Board manages the Group’s commercial endeavors and the achievement of BBC Studios’ objectives, aligning with the BBC’s overall commercial strategy.
“Marinella Soldi has been appointed as a non-executive director of the BBC’s Commercial Board, from 1 September 2024, having joined the BBC as a director of the main Group Board in September 2023. Commercial Board directors are appointed by the BBC Board on the recommendation of the Nominations Committee, which includes Dr. Samir Shah, BBC Chair, and Sir Damon Buffini, Chair of the Commercial Board.
“Alongside Damon Buffini, she will be the second non-executive member who sits on both the BBC Board and the Commercial Board, bolstering the link between the ambitions of the whole BBC and its commercial subsidiaries.
“Born in Italy and raised and educated in London, Marinella held senior roles in London and Milan at MTV Networks Europe before joining Discovery, where she served as CEO of Discovery Networks Southern Europe for 10 years until October 2018, transforming its business model from linear to a diversified multiplatform portfolio. She has a BSc in Economics from the London School of Economics and an MBA from INSEAD. Most recently, she has acted as the non-executive Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Rai, the Italian PSB.”
Samir Shah, BBC Chairman, says: “Marinella Soldi has significant global experience in a wide range of different markets alongside a deep understanding of the challenges faced by public service broadcasters. Her additional contribution as a non-executive director on the Commercial Board will be invaluable.”
