Channel Five Names Lighting As New Chief Executive
Channel Five has confirmed the appointment of Jane Lighting as its new chief executive, replacing Dawn Airey, who stepped down to join Sky Networks last year (see Airey’s Departure Represents Coup For BSkyB).
Lighting has over twenty year’s experience in the TV industry and is currently head of Telewest’s pay TV business, Flextech, whose portfolio includes the Bravo and Living TV channels.
Confirmation of Lighting’s appointment has been expected for some weeks (see Flextech Boss Tipped To Succeed Airey At Channel Five) following reports that she was the front runner for the job, along with Stephen Carter, who was recently appointed chairman of new super-regulator, Ofcom (see ITC Pledges Support For New Ofcom Chief).
Lighting, who joined Flextech in 1999 following the acquisition of Minotaur International, will take up the position in early April. She will have to work hard to meet the standards set by Dawn Airey, who has been credited with turning around Channel Five, which saw its audience share increase from 5.9% to 6.5% last year and its share of advertising revenue increase from 6.4% to 7.5%.
Commenting on her appointment, Lighting said: “I am excited to be joining Five at this pivotal point in its development. Dawn Airey, Nick Milligan and the team managed one of the most successful launches in terrestrial TV history and have built a solid platform for future growth. My job will be to ensure that we keep moving to the next level and beyond as the competition grows.”
Channel Five chairman, Remy Sautter and director, Malcolm Wall, added in a joint statement: “We would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the contribution of Nick Milligan, who has done a fantastic job as acting chief executive ensuring the channel has continued to run smoothly following Dawn’s departure. With Nick, Kevin Lygo, the other senior executives and the staff, Jane is inheriting one of the best teams in the business.”
Lighting’s appointment will cast doubt over the role of acting chief executive, Nick Milligan, who has been handling the day to running of the channel.
Carat’s David Peters, said: “From an agency perspective it will be interesting to see what Nick Milligan’s next move will be. He may step down because he feels someone has been brought in above him, or he may stay. It’s a case of all change or no change.”
Lighting’s appointment was announced by United Business Media, which owns a 35% stake in Channel Five. However, the final decision is understood to have been made by Didier Bellens, chief executive RTL, which owns the remaining stake in the channel.
Channel Five: 020 7550 5555 www.five.tv
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