Lyons, who fills the vacancy left by Michael Grade's departure to ITV last November, described his appointment to the BBC's governing body as "a great privilege".
Culture secretary Tessa Jowell said Lyons was an "experienced and talented" addition to the Trust, with a distinguished track record in local government.
Lyons, 57, has been chairman of the English Cities Fund since 2002 and recently completed the Lyons Inquiry into local government.
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