Saturday, April 08, 2006 

Michael Hastings is Head of the BBC's Corporate Social Responsibility Department, which was set up in February 2002. CSR works to build collaboration and focus bringing profile, strategic direction, support and recognition to the BBC's vast work. Consequently Michael sits on the Boards of Comic Relief, BBC Children in Need, The BBC World Service Trust, The Fame Academy Bursary Fund, The BBC Appeals Advisory Committee, BBC Environment Steering Group and externally as a Trustee of Volunteering England as well as being a non-executive Director for British Telecom on BT's Community Support Committee.  

He is also communications and strategy adviser to Lord John Stevens QPM, the former Metropolitan Police Commissioner. He is a former Commissioner with the Commission for Racial Equality and served for nine years advising on race relations in the UK. Michael was also Chairman of Childnet International & SpringBoard for Children as well as founding member of the Metropolitan Police Advisory Committee and served on the Government's Social Security Advisory Committee.

Previously, Michael headed up the BBC's Public Affairs department in Westminster, where he latterly developed the BBC's Community Affairs function. His background is in journalism, reporting and presenting programmes for ITV and the BBC and prior to that working with the Downing Street Policy Unit on race & urban policy, starting his career in education and community initiatives.

In January 2003, Michael was awarded the honour of a CBE in recognition of his services to crime reduction, after 14 years with Crime Concern and nine as Chairman.In July 2005 he was further honoured with a Life Peerage to the House of Lords as an independent non-political honorary peer.