Mark Thompson, the former director-general of the British Broadcasting Corp., started work on Monday as the chief executive of The New York Times Co. Thompson started his new job amid a widening scandal at his former employer.

In recent months, Thompson has faced questions over a decision by the BBC's "Newsnight" program last December to shelve an investigation into child sexual-abuse allegations against renowned BBC children's television host Jimmy Savile. That decision was made while Thompson was still in charge of the company.

Below are some biographical details about Thompson, the first non-U.S. citizen to run the Times since its founding in 1851.

NAME: Mark John Thompson

BORN: July 31, 1957 in London

TITLE: President and Chief Executive Officer, The New York Times Co.

CAREER: Joined the British Broadcasting Corp. as a production trainee in 1979; helped launch BBC shows including "Watchdog" and "Breakfast Time"; was an output editor on "Newsnight"; appointed editor of the "Nine O'Clock News" in 1988 and of "Panorama" in 1990; became controller (programming and scheduling chief) for the BBC2 and director of television for the BBC. In 2002, left BBC to become CEO of Channel 4 Television Corp. Returned to BBC as director-general from May 2004 to September 2012. Started as CEO of New York Times Co. on Nov. 12.

EDUCATION: Educated by Jesuits at private Catholic school Stonyhurst College. Went to Merton College at Oxford University.

FAMILY: Married to American writer Jane Blumberg; three children.