Birt, Lord John /bɜːt $ bɜːrt/ BrE AmE
(1944–) a British businessman who worked for many years in television, and was the Director-General (=chief manager) of the BBC from 1992 to 2000. He became a member of the House of Lords in 2000, and his official title is Lord Birt of Liverpool. He has also been a adviser to the Prime Minister and chairman of a ↑ venture capital company.