Murphy To Step Down As Carlton’s Chief Executive

Carlton Communications has confirmed that its chief executive, Gerry Murphy, is stepping down to become chief executive of the Kingfisher DIY group, ending months of speculation as to whether he would leave the ITV company.

Murphy, who has been Carlton’s chief executive since July 2000, will continue in his current role until February next year when he will leave to replace Sir Geoffrey Mulcahy as chief executive of the Kingfisher group, which owns the B&Q DIY chain and electrical retailer, Comet.

Commenting on Murphy’s departure, Carlton’s chairman, Michael Green, said: “Gerry and I have worked well together. I will miss him as a colleague but I look forward to working with him as a friend at Kingfisher, one of our biggest advertisers. I thank him for his commitment to Carlton and wish him every success.”

Murphy added: “Carlton is a great company and it has been my privilege to work here. Its prospects as a key component of a consolidated and cohesive ITV are excellent and I wish Michael and my colleagues every good fortune.”

Speculation over Murphy’s departure has been mounting for some months, with commentators suggesting that the proposed Carlton/Granada merger (see Carlton And Granada Move Closer To £2.6bn Single ITV Company) would essentially leave him without a job. Last month Carlton denied reports that Murphy was set to leave, saying: “He is fully occupied with his position at Carlton and has not agreed to work with anyone else” (see Carlton Denies Murphy Is Set To Leave).

Murphy began his career at Grand Metropolitan in 1978 and then moved on to become chief executive of the Dublin-based Greencore Group in 1991. Four years later he joined one of the world’s largest logistics and moving-services company, Exel, as chief executive.

Carlton: 020 7663 6363 www.carlton.co.uk

Recent Television Stories from NewsLine Carlton And Granada To Up Investment In ITV2 ITV Appoints New Director Of Programmes Channel 4 Announces Most Radical Restructure In 20 Years

Subscribers can access ten years of NewsLine articles by clicking the Search button to the left