'Best, Kevin' — How new DG won the trust of colleagues during previous stint at RTÉ

Kevin Bakhurst impressed newsroom staff as 'a straight talker' during his four-year term as head of RTÉ News and Current Affairs

Eye of the storm: Kevin Bakhurst speaking to reporters on Monday as he began his tenure as director general amid the controversy over governance issues at RTÉ. Picture: Niall Carson/PA 

Nicknamed ‘Best, Kevin’, the new RTÉ director general was once in such regular contact with journalists that he sent texts immediately after broadcasts with feedback.

This accessibility and strong and clear communication style are qualities that could make Kevin Bakhurst uniquely suited to his new and complex role, according to RTÉ staff who know him.