Channel 4’s chief creative officer, Jay Hunt, has sacrificed the chance to become the broadcaster’s new chief executive after announcing she will leave after almost seven years.
Hunt, who took on the role of CCO in 2011, was hotly-tipped to take over from current chief executive David Abraham when he steps down at the end of the year.
However, on Friday (2 June), Channel 4 confirmed that Hunt will depart in September.
Hunt said: “I’ve loved being at Channel 4 and am incredibly proud of how far we have come creatively. I’ve been lucky to have a superlative boss in David Abraham and to have been supported by the best commissioning team in the business. I also owe a huge thank you to the brilliant producers, directors, writers and on screen talent who’ve made it such a thrilling time to be at the helm.
“Channel 4 is a unique and special place. I’ve really enjoyed leading this phase of its creative renewal and I’ll be cheering the new leadership team on from afar.”
David Abraham said: “Jay took on one of the biggest challenges in broadcasting back in 2011 and through immense creativity, courage and determination has delivered magnificently.
“In recent years the delivery of our remit and our creative output has reached new heights and both I, the staff of Channel 4 and the whole industry owe Jay huge thanks for all she has achieved.”
Before joining Channel 4, Hunt was controller of BBC One. She initially joined the BBC in 1989, and in 1994 moved to Newsnight as output editor and filmmaker and then to Panorama.
In 1999 she was made editor of One O’Clock News before going on to edit the Six O’Clock News – and then controller of BBC Daytime in 2005.
