Published: 04 Sep 2026
The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) today announced that David Austin OBE will retire as Chief Executive following 23 years with the organisation, including the last 10 years as CEO.
David will step down from his executive responsibilities in July 2027 and will continue to support the BBFC as a member of its Board, ensuring continuity and providing strategic guidance as the organisation enters its next chapter.
David joined the BBFC in 2003 as an Examiner, now known as Compliance Officers, following a career in the Diplomatic Service, with postings in South Asia, Central Africa and the former Yugoslavia. He became Assistant Director, Policy and Public Affairs at the BBFC in 2011, before taking up the Chief Executive role in March 2016.
During his tenure, David has overseen a period of significant transformation for the BBFC, leading the organisation through major changes in the way audiences access and consume content.
Under his leadership, the BBFC continued to expand beyond traditional cinema classification, establishing self-rating partnerships with major streaming platforms including Netflix, Prime Video and HBO Max. He also drove the organisation's engagement with emerging technology, including the use of artificial intelligence to support classification work, culminating in a first-of-its-kind agreement with HBO Max to develop and deploy a bespoke AI tool to support BBFC Compliance Officers in the classification of the streaming service’s entire content library.
These developments have strengthened the BBFC’s ability to support audiences in navigating an increasingly complex digital media landscape, while remaining firmly focused on its core mission of protecting children and helping audiences make informed viewing choices.
The BBFC Board will begin a recruitment process for a new Chief Executive immediately, with the successful candidate expected to be in post by July 2027. David Austin will continue to serve as Chief Executive until that time to ensure a smooth and orderly transition and will take up a Board position in July 2027. In his Board capacity, David will continue to be one of the BBFC’s four Statutory Classifiers.
David Austin OBE, Chief Executive of the BBFC, said: “Leading the BBFC has been the privilege of my career. I am incredibly proud of everything we have achieved together over the past 23 years, including my last 10 as Chief Executive, and I am deeply grateful to the many people who have supported our work and to the UK audiences who place their trust in the BBFC every day.
“What began as a curious fascination with film and classification, born out of my love of horror, has grown into a deep love for the BBFC. There is no other organisation quite like it, and I could not have imagined dedicating so much of my career to anything else. What has made my time here so special is not only the importance of our mission to protect children and help audiences make informed viewing choices, but also the exceptional people I have had the pleasure of working alongside.
“I know the BBFC is in a strong position for the future. It is a dynamic and innovative organisation with a clear purpose, talented people and a strong foundation on which to build. As the content landscape continues to evolve, there remains important work to do, and I am confident the BBFC will continue to play a vital role in supporting UK audiences.
“While the credits may be rolling on my time as Chief Executive, this is far from my final scene at the BBFC. I will continue to support the organisation as a member of the Board, and look forward to seeing it continue to evolve and thrive in the years ahead.”
Natasha Kaplinsky OBE, President of the BBFC, said: “David has made an outstanding contribution to the BBFC and to audiences across the UK. His leadership, vision and commitment have helped ensure the BBFC remains one of the most trusted and respected classification bodies in the world. On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank David for his exceptional service and dedication over the past 23 years. We are delighted that he will continue to contribute to the organisation as a member of the Board.”
The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is the independent film and video regulator for the UK. Through widely recognised and trusted age ratings and content advice, the BBFC works to protect children and vulnerable adults from potentially harmful content and to help audiences make informed viewing decisions. All BBFC classification decisions are based on its Classification Guidelines, which are updated every four to five years to ensure that BBFC standards continue to reflect the expectations and values of people across the UK. Please visit bbfc.co.uk for further information.
For press, please contact our press team on +44 (0) 7946 423719 or press@bbfc.co.uk. Further information and press assets can also be found on the BBFC Media Centre.
