Richard Ryder, Baron Ryder of Wensum

For other people named Richard Ryder, see Richard Ryder (disambiguation).

The Right Honourable The Lord Ryder of Wensum OBE PC
Ryder in 2019
Chief Whip of the House of Commons Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury
In office 28 November 1990 –20 July 1995

He became Vice-Chairman of the BBC on 1 January 2002 for a four-year term.

Ryder was appointed Acting Chairman of the BBC following the resignation of Gavyn Davies on 28 January 2004. Davies resigned following the criticism of the BBC in the Hutton Report, which was set up to investigate "the circumstances surrounding the death of Dr David Kelly". One of Ryder's first acts as chairman was to give a televised statement, during which he offered an unreserved apology for the mistakes made during the Dr. Kelly affair. This apology was criticised by many, including departing Director General, Greg Dyke, as overdone. In the same statement Ryder announced that the process to select a new Chairman had begun, and that he would not be putting his name forward. Michael Grade was appointed on 2 April 2004 and took up his post on 17 May; Ryder resumed the post of Vice-Chairman.

Ryder resigned early on 1 August 2004, after which the position was assumed by Anthony Salz.

Ryder was the Chairman of the Institute of Cancer Research, and is a director of Ipswich Town F.C.

Family

A nephew of Sue Ryder, later Baroness Ryder and Cheshire, he married in 1981 Caroline Stephens CVO , MBE , only daughter of Sir David Stephens and Clemency Gore-Browne. ^[3]

Lord and Lady Ryder of Wensum had two children.

References

1. "No. 48639". The London Gazette (Supplement). 13 June 1981. p. 11.
2. "No. 54961". The London Gazette . 27 November 1997. p. 13331.
3. "Burke's Peerage". burkespeerage.com. Retrieved 6 May 2025.

External links

• Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by Richard Ryder
• BBC News Profile

Government offices
Preceded by Tom McNally	Political Secretary to the Prime Minister 1979–1981	Succeeded by Derek Howe
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Constituency reestablished	Member of Parliament for Mid Norfolk 1983–1997	Succeeded by Keith Simpson
Political offices
Preceded by Peter Lilley	Economic Secretary to the Treasury 1989	Succeeded by John Maples
Preceded by The Earl of Caithness	Paymaster General 1990	Succeeded by The Lord Belstead
Preceded by Tim Renton	Chief Whip of the Conservative Party 1990–1995	Succeeded by Alastair Goodlad
	Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury 1990–1995
Media offices
Preceded by Gavyn Davies	Vice Chairman of the BBC Board of Governors 2002–2004	Succeeded by Anthony Salz
	Chairman of the BBC Board of Governors Acting 2004	Succeeded by Michael Grade
Orders of precedence in the United Kingdom
Preceded by The Lord Watson of Invergowrie	Gentlemen Baron Ryder of Wensum	Followed by The Lord Hattersley