The editor of BBC’s Newsnight, Ian Katz, has been named Channel 4’s new director of programmes. He will succeed Ralph Lee who has been interim chief creative officer since the departure of Jay Hunt in September, and who has agreed to stay on in post until the end of the year.
Katz, who has also worked for The Guardian in a wide variety of roles culminating in deputy editor, will join the broadcaster in January.
“Ian is an inspirational leader who assiduously builds and nurtures talented and empowered teams,” said Alex Mahon, Channel 4’s CEO.
“He has fantastic instincts and intelligence, huge editorial strength and is a proven creative and digital innovator, who lives and breathes the Channel 4 values.”
Since 2013 Katz has been editor of BBC Newsnight, where his successes include the RTS Scoop of the Year winning investigation into Kids Company that led to its closure, a series of revelations about bullying within the Conservative party and, most recently, an ongoing investigation into the causes and handling of the Grenfell disaster.
During his tenure, Katz has brought key talent to the BBC, including Laura Kuenssberg from ITV, Chris Cook from the FT and Katie Razzall and Rachel Jupp, now editor of Panorama, from Channel 4 News.
“I’m impossibly excited to be joining a broadcaster whose unique combination of innovation, risk-taking and elan I have admired for decades as a viewer – and more recently as a frequently envious rival,” Katz said.
“Channel 4’s deeply held values and relentlessly challenging sensibility have never been more important or relevant and I feel incredibly privileged to play a part in shaping the next stage of its remarkable journey.”
