Philip Laven is the BBC's Controller of Engineering Policy. His responsibilities include examining the strategic implications of new broadcasting technologies, liaison with Government, commissioning engineering R&D and advising on technical standards. He has played a leading role in the development of the BBC's policy on digital transmission, such as the introduction of digital audio broadcasting (DAB) and plans for digital terrestrial television.

Having joined the BBC's Transmitter Department in 1966, he transferred to Research Department at Kingswood Warren in 1968. In 1978, he was appointed Senior Engineer in the BBC's New York office. Returning to the UK in 1982, he joined Engineering Information Department - becoming Head of Engineering Information in 1984 and Chief Engineer, Information and Training in 1987. In 1991, he was appointed Chief Engineer Research & Development.

He is:

Chairman of the ETSI/EBU/CENELEC Joint Technical Committee, which is responsible for setting European standards for broadcasting systems; Vice-Chairman of the EBU Technical Committee;

Chairman of the Broadcasters' Joint Frequency Management Committee, which manages the use of the radio spectrum on behalf of UK broadcasters for "services ancillary to broadcasting";

Active in the UK Government's Technology Foresight programme, initially as Chairman of the Communications Panel and now as Vice-Chairman of the combined Information Technology & Communications Panel.

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