Partly to lead by example when the body is cost-cutting, BBC director general (DG) Mark Thompson’s salary has been reduced. He earned £622,000 in the past financial year, which is down from £779,000. Mr Thompson earned 15 times more than the median pay of a BBC employee. He is stepping down in September, when the new DG will be George Entwistle. His salary will be significantly lower: £450,000 in his first year. Total BBC executive pay has also been halved.