25/11/2015 - Current Assistant Director to take up the position in March 2016 when Director David Cooke retires

David Austin

David Austin will be the new Director of the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) from March 2016 when the current Director David Cooke retires. Austin is currently Assistant Director, coordinating the BBFC’s policy work and leading on its public affairs outreach and managing research, communications and education programmes. Austin received an OBE in 1999 for his contribution to helping end conflicts in the former Yugoslavia. He joined the BBFC in 2003 as an Examiner. He then moved to the role of Assistant Director, Policy and Public Affairs in 2011, overseeing the most recent public consultation of the BBFC Classification Guidelines in 2013; the introduction of the BBFC Mobile Classification Framework used by UK Mobile Network Operators in 2013; and the BBFC’s partnership with the UK music industry and Vevo and YouTube to bring age ratings to online music videos in 2015.

Austin said, “Under David Cooke and in partnership with the home entertainment industry in particular, the BBFC has transformed its remit to reflect the needs of a digital society, bringing its expertise in child protection and information provision online. I am greatly looking forward to continuing to work with my colleagues at the BBFC, the Presidential Team, the Council of Management and the Board's advisory bodies and stakeholders to ensure the BBFC continues to act as an expert and trusted guide to film, DVD/Blu-ray and digital platforms,” Austin added.

Cooke said, “I am sure that David will take the BBFC from strength to strength in serving the public, and the cause of child protection, in the internet age.”