THE BBC's director-general says the corporation needs to keep reforming "with urgency" and stressed it must be "a universal public service" as he arrived for his first day in the job.
Tim Davie, the former chief executive of commercial arm BBC Studios and former Tory candidate, has replaced Lord Tony Hall in the role and is spending his first day meeting staff at BBC Scotland in Glasgow.
In a message sent to all staff, he said it was a "tremendous honour" to take on the role and confirmed he will be laying out priorities for the future on Thursday.
READ MORE: Former Tory candidate takes over as BBC director-general
He added: "Overall my guiding principle is that we are a universal public service, a BBC for all, that serves and represents every part of this country.
"Our focus must be to ensure that we deliver outstanding and unique value to all audiences, those who pay for us and are in effect our customers, in return for their licence fee.
"To do this we will need to keep reforming the BBC with urgency so that we are trusted, relevant and indispensable in this digital age.
"While we do face challenges, the senior team and I are incredibly proud to be leading this organisation and supporting you.
"We are an organisation that matters, and your work is admired for its creative brilliance, outstanding journalism and much more across the world.
"I am here to ensure that continues."
Davie takes over the job from Lord Hall, who spent seven years in the role, amid a turbulent time for the BBC.
Davie stood as a councillor for the Conservative Party in Hammersmith in 1993 and 1994. He was deputy chairman of the Hammersmith and Fulham Conservative party during the 1990s.
The new director-general starts as the BBC hit controversy over the decision to play orchestral versions of Rule, Britannia! and Land Of Hope And Glory at the Last Night Of The Proms.
The BBC is also expecting to receive a report into the use of social media by its staff, written by Richard Sambrook.
It has also emerged Davie is planning to tackle “left-wing” BBC comedy, according to The Telegraph.
The newspaper reported comedy panel shows will be told to book guests with a wider range of views on issues like Brexit.
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