Robbie Gibb
{{Short description|British political advisor (born 1964)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|honorific_prefix = Sir
| name = Robbie Gibb
| office = Downing Street Director of Communications
| image =
| primeminister = Theresa May
| term_start = 6 July 2017
| term_end = 24 July 2019
| predecessor = Katie Perrior
| successor = Lee Cain
| birth_name = Robert Paul Gibb
| birth_date = {{birth year and age|1964|9}}
| nationality = British
| alma_mater = Royal Holloway, University of London
| occupation = {{hlist|Public relations professional|political advisor|broadcast journalist}}
| spouse = Liz
| children = 2
| relations = Nick Gibb (brother)
}}
Sir Robert Paul Gibb (born September 1964), known as Robbie Gibb, is a British public relations professional and former political advisor and broadcast journalist.
He is the brother of Nick Gibb, the former Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton. After graduating from Royal Holloway, University of London, he pursued a career as a journalist with his first role as a political researcher at the BBC. He then became chief of staff for Conservative MP Francis Maude in the late 1990s. Gibb returned to the BBC in 2002 as the deputy political editor of Newsnight and went on to edit various television programmes including Daily Politics, The Andrew Marr Show, and This Week.
Gibb was Prime Minister Theresa May's Downing Street Director of Communications between 2017 and 2019. Gibb then became a senior advisor for the public relations consultancy Kekst CNC. He joined the BBC Board as a non-executive director in 2021.
Early life and education
Robert Paul Gibb was born in September 1964.{{Cite web|url=https://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?cite=GbrkdCb%2Flh80hzImnWlPtA&scan=1|title=Index entry|accessdate=25 July 2023|work=FreeBMD|publisher=ONS}}{{cite web|title=Robbie Paul Gibb|url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/officers/Wm8L07aFuFweqwG7fBvWdNwRzpU/appointments|website=Companies House|accessdate=7 July 2017|archive-date=13 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113113111/https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/officers/Wm8L07aFuFweqwG7fBvWdNwRzpU/appointments|url-status=live}} He grew up in the West Yorkshire cities of Leeds and Wakefield. Gibb studied Economics and Public Administration at Royal Holloway, University of London.{{cite news|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/the-inside-track-on-the-man-putting-words-in-theresa-may-s-mouth-a4100251.html|work=Evening Standard|title=The inside track on Robbie Gibb... the man putting words in Theresa May's mouth|date=25 March 2019|last=Edwardes|first=Charlotte|access-date=11 March 2023|archive-date=11 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311125151/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/the-inside-track-on-the-man-putting-words-in-theresa-may-s-mouth-a4100251.html|url-status=live}} In his youth, Gibb and his brother Nick were recruited and trained by the National Alliance of Russian Solidarists, a right-wing Russian anticommunist organisation. They acted as "couriers" and pretended to be tourists in Moscow in order to smuggle letters from dissidents out of Russia.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/03/19/senior-tories-secret-soviet-past/|title=The senior Tories with the secret Soviet past|work=The Telegraph|last=Buchanan|first=Kirsty|date=19 March 2021|access-date=19 March 2021|archive-date=19 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319060611/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/03/19/senior-tories-secret-soviet-past/|url-status=live}}{{subscription required}}
Career
After graduation, Gibb joined the BBC as a political researcher including for the television programme On the Record. He left this role, soon after his brother Nick had been elected as Conservative MP for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, to become Conservative MP and shadow chancellor Francis Maude's chief of staff.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/jul/06/robbie-gibb-no-10s-fair-flexible-and-very-modern-new-spin-doctor|work=The Guardian|title=Robbie Gibb: No 10's 'fair, flexible and very modern' new spin doctor|date=6 July 2017|last=Mason|first=Rowena|access-date=25 May 2019|archive-date=25 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525190838/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/jul/06/robbie-gibb-no-10s-fair-flexible-and-very-modern-new-spin-doctor|url-status=live}} He served in this role until 2000.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/07/06/analysis-theresa-mays-hiring-robbie-gibb-shows-thinks-downing/|work=The Telegraph|date=6 July 2017|title=Analysis: Theresa May's hiring of Robbie Gibb shows she is in Downing Street for the long term|last=Hope|first=Christopher|access-date=11 March 2023|archive-date=11 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311123644/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/07/06/analysis-theresa-mays-hiring-robbie-gibb-shows-thinks-downing/|url-status=live}}{{subscription required}} Gibb then joined Maude in supporting Michael Portillo's unsuccessful campaign to become leader in the 2001 Conservative Party leadership election.
He returned to the BBC in 2002 as deputy editor of the news and current affairs television programme Newsnight. Gibb left this role to become the organisation's political editor for various programmes including Daily Politics, The Andrew Marr Show, and This Week as well coverage of the Budget.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-40517721|title=BBC Daily Politics editor Robbie Gibb to join No 10|date=6 July 2017|work=BBC News|access-date=22 June 2018|archive-date=23 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523192442/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-40517721|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://uk.linkedin.com/in/sir-robbie-gibb-706738134|title=Sir Robbie Gibb|publisher=LinkedIn|accessdate=11 March 2023}} He was also editor of live political events including The Great Debate during the 2016 EU referendum campaign.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/may/11/bbc-eu-referendum-debate-wembley|work=The Guardian|date=11 May 2016|last=Plunkett|first=John|title=BBC rejects fears EU referendum debate could be hijacked|access-date=11 March 2023|archive-date=11 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311123644/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/may/11/bbc-eu-referendum-debate-wembley|url-status=live}} Gibb is a prominent supporter of Brexit.
In 2017, Gibb returned to politics by becoming Conservative Prime Minister Theresa May's Downing Street Director of Communications. He was succeeded by Lee Cain after Boris Johnson became prime minister in 2019.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/aug/05/boris-johnson-ushers-in-radical-new-era-of-special-advisers|work=The Guardian|title=Boris Johnson ushers in radical new era of special advisers|date=5 August 2019|last=Mason|first=Rowena|access-date=11 March 2023|archive-date=10 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200110024404/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/aug/05/boris-johnson-ushers-in-radical-new-era-of-special-advisers|url-status=live}}
He was appointed a Knight Bachelor in May's resignation honours on 10 September 2019 for political and public service.{{cite web|title=Resignation Honours 2019|url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/830277/Resignation-Honours-2019.pdf|website=gov.uk|accessdate=10 September 2019|archive-date=5 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205123047/https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/830277/Resignation-Honours-2019.pdf|url-status=live}} Gibb then became a senior advisor for global strategic communications consultancy Kekst CNC which is part of the French public relations firm Publicis Groupe.{{cite web|url=https://www.kekstcnc.com/insights/former-downing-street-aide-sir-robbie-gibb-joins-as-a-senior-advisor|title=Former Downing Street Aide, Sir Robbie Gibb, Joins As a Senior Advisor|date=2 October 2019|publisher=Kekst CNC|access-date=11 March 2023|archive-date=15 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615154334/https://www.kekstcnc.com/insights/former-downing-street-aide-sir-robbie-gibb-joins-as-a-senior-advisor|url-status=live}}
In 2020, he led a successful consortium bid to buy The Jewish Chronicle. The consortium's bid was backed by journalist Sir William Shawcross, former Labour MP John Woodcock, and journalist John Ware.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2020/apr/23/jewish-chronicle-saved-by-consortium-after-messy-takeover-battle|work=The Guardian|title=Jewish Chronicle saved by consortium after messy takeover battle|date=23 April 2020|last=Waterson|first=Jim|access-date=11 March 2023|archive-date=11 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311123643/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2020/apr/23/jewish-chronicle-saved-by-consortium-after-messy-takeover-battle|url-status=live}} Gibb has refused to say who funded the consortium bid, believed to be around £3.5 million. In his declaration of interest on the BBC website, Gibb stated that he owned a 100 per cent holding in Jewish Chronicle Media.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-16 |title=Alan Rusbridger: Who funds the Jewish Chronicle? It's troubling that we don't know |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/jewish-chronicle-scandal-editor-robbie-gibb-b2613454.html |access-date=2024-09-24 |website=The Independent |language=en}} Alan Rusbridger, writing in The Independent, made the point that, "the BBC board’s own website commits them to 'submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office'. They should restrict information 'only when the wider public interest clearly demands'." Rusbridger continued by saying that Gibb had "flatly ignored my questions about his role as the sole named director of the JC. Nor will he tell anyone whose money is behind the paper he 'owns{{'"}}. According to former Chronicle journalist Lee Harpin, Gibb made a habit of popping into the office and checking what stories were topping the news list; Harpin was told the new owners wanted more views "well to the right of the Tory party".{{cite news |last=Rusbridger |first=Alan |author-link=Alan Rusbridger|date=18 September 2024 |title=Why a scandal at the Jewish Chronicle also goes to the top of the BBC |url=https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/media/67900/why-a-scandal-at-the-jewish-chronicle-also-goes-to-the-top-of-the-bbc |access-date=22 September 2024 |magazine=Prospect}} According to Harpin, Gibb interviewed candidates for a senior editor position and appointed Jake Wallis Simons.
Gibb departed as a director of the Chronicle on August 20, 2024, passing ownership to Jonathan Kandel, a fellow consortium member, and the ex-Labour peer Lord Austin of Dudley.{{Cite web |last=Farber |first=Charlie Parker, Alex |date=2024-09-24 |title=Who owns The Jewish Chronicle? Why the mystery made writers quit |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/media/article/who-owns-the-jewish-chronicle-why-the-mystery-made-writers-quit-7696nzrjk |access-date=2024-09-24 |website=The Times|language=en}} The people ultimately responsible for the company’s debts remained unknown. Gibb retained sole directorship of "The JC Media and Culture Preservation Initiative", a community interest company sharing a correspondence address with The Jewish Chronicle.
Gibb described himself as a "Thatcherite Conservative".{{cite web|url=https://www.taxpayersalliance.com/the_future_of_bbc_licence_fee|title=The future of the BBC licence fee|time=04:00|date=4 March 2020|accessdate=30 January 2024|publisher=Taxpayers' Alliance}} He was an editorial advisor for GB News prior to its launch in 2021.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-56929982|last=Rajan|first=Amol|date=29 April 2021|title=Sir Robbie Gibb: Former Downing Street communications director joins BBC Board|access-date=29 April 2021|archive-date=29 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429120533/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-56929982|url-status=live}} Gibb also advised the government in 2021 on the publication of the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities report.
Gibb joined the BBC Board in May 2021 as the Member for England for a three-year term.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/aboutthebbc/whoweare/robbie-gibb/|title=Sir Robbie Gibb|publisher=BBC|accessdate=11 March 2023|archive-date=19 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019135313/https://www.bbc.com/aboutthebbc/whoweare/robbie-gibb/|url-status=live}} His appointment was supported by Conservative Party political advisor Dougie Smith, who according to journalist Tim Shipman, "pressed for months" for him to become part of the Board. Smith and Gibb are close friends since their time as members of the Federation of Conservative Students.{{cite news|url=https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/media/64534/how-the-government-captured-the-bbc|work=Prospect|title=How the government captured the BBC|last=Rusbridger|first=Alan|date=24 January 2024|accessdate=30 January 2024}} He is known as a "right-of-centre voice" on the board.{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/richard-sharp-the-well-connected-bbc-bigwig-with-a-charmed-life-vcnhqpbd3|work=The Times|last=Shah|first=Oliver|date=29 January 2023|title=Richard Sharp, the well-connected BBC bigwig with a charmed life}}{{subscription required}} According to the Financial Times, he reportedly attempted to block Jess Brammar's appointment as BBC executive news editor in July 2021. He had allegedly sent a text message to Director, News & Current Affairs Fran Unsworth that urged her not to "make this appointment" as it would shatter the government's "fragile trust in the BBC". A source close to Gibb denied that he sent the message.{{cite news|title=BBC director sought to block senior editorial appointment|url=https://www.ft.com/content/82a54037-501d-457b-b8f4-35744c85ec9b|work=Financial Times|date=9 July 2021|last1=Barker|first1=Alex|last2=Bond|first2=David|last3=Parker|first3=George|access-date=9 July 2021|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709231223/https://www.ft.com/content/82a54037-501d-457b-b8f4-35744c85ec9b|url-status=live}}{{subscription required}} Deputy Labour Party Leader Angela Rayner called for his resignation, saying it was "Tory cronyism at the heart of the BBC".{{cite news|date=10 July 2021|title=Labour demands resignation of No 10 ally accused of trying to block BBC appointment|url=http://www.theguardian.com/media/2021/jul/10/labour-demand-resignation-of-no-10-ally-accused-of-trying-to-block-bbc-appointment|access-date=11 July 2021|website=The Guardian|last1=Skopeliti|first1=Clea|last2=Allegretti|first2=Aubrey|archive-date=10 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710234102/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2021/jul/10/labour-demand-resignation-of-no-10-ally-accused-of-trying-to-block-bbc-appointment|url-status=live}}
In August 2022, former BBC presenter Emily Maitlis stated that Gibb was an "active agent of the Conservative party" who played a significant role in determining the nature of the corporation's news output.{{cite news |last1=Waterson |first1=Jim |title=Emily Maitlis says "active Tory party agent" shaping BBC news output |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2022/aug/24/emily-maitlis-says-active-tory-party-agent-shaping-bbc-news-output |access-date=24 August 2022 |work=The Guardian |date=24 August 2022 |archive-date=24 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220824180513/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2022/aug/24/emily-maitlis-says-active-tory-party-agent-shaping-bbc-news-output |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1= Elliards |first1= Xander |title=Who is Robbie Gibb? The 'Tory agent' Emily Maitlis says influences the BBC |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/20756770.robbie-gibb-tory-agent-emily-maitlis-says-influences-bbc/ |access-date=27 April 2023 |work=The National |date=25 August 2022}} A freedom of information request to the BBC for "[email] communications where he [Gibb] has sought to reprimand after a broadcast or article he disagreed with, educate BBC staff on impartiality, or be informed of output before its publication" has been refused by the BBC on the grounds of cost. The refusal came in April 2023, three-and-a-half months after the initial request.{{cite news |last1= Elliards |first1= Xander |title=BBC refuses to publish emails from 'active Tory agent' Robbie Gibb |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/23466624.bbc-refuses-publish-emails-active-tory-agent-robbie-gibb/ |access-date=27 April 2023 |work=The National |date=19 April 2023 }}
In September 2024, after The Jewish Chronicle was forced to apologise for publishing a string of fabricated stories about the Gaza war, Alan Rusbridger queried how Gibb could, as a member of the BBC's editorial guidelines and standard committee, sit on a panel and participate in an upcoming review of the impartiality of the BBC’s war coverage.
Personal life
References
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{{s-bef|before= Katie Perrior}}
{{s-ttl|title= Downing Street Director of Communications |years= 2017–2019}}
{{s-aft|after= Lee Cain}}
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{{Downing Street Director of Communications}}
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Category:British political consultants
Category:Conservative Party (UK) people
Category:BBC newsreaders and journalists