Restructure For Channel 4 Digital Team
Channel 4 is to restructure its executive team, including the appointment of its first dedicated director of new media and technology, with a view to expanding its activities on new digital platforms.
The holder of the new role will report directly to the chief executive, Andy Duncan, alongside the channel’s executive directors including group finance director, Anne Bulford, and director of new business, Rod Henwood, whose roles are developing as part of the restructure.
Channel 4’s new media division, which was previously part of the new business directorate, will now report to the director of new media and technology. The division will be under new management with managing director Andy Taylor having just announced that he is leaving Channel 4 to join All3Media as director, digital media.
The new directorate will also include information systems and channel operations, under department heads Ian Dobb and Steve White. These departments previously reported to the group finance director alongside finance, commercial affairs and legal and compliance.
As director of new business, Rod Henwood will concentrate on identifying and developing new business opportunities to generate new profit streams and, once established, integrating them with the rest of Channel 4.
Henwood will continue to manage Channel 4’s recently launched video-on-demand service, 4oD (see Channel 4’s 4oD To Offer Seven Day Catch-Up) and Channel 4’s corporate development function, which will be headed by Paul Whitehead, who combines it with his previous role as head of business development for new media.
A third executive director, Kevin Lygo, recently took on a new title as director of television and content to reflect his more active role in commissioning content on new digital platforms.
Duncan said: “Growing our presence in, and our revenue from, new digital media platforms is a strategic priority – success in digital media will have a significant impact on Channel 4’s future financing. We believe that the opportunity is such as to justify the recruitment of a new director whose focus will be growing Channel 4’s share in these emerging markets and ensuring a seamless approach to technology and content delivery across the business.
“I believe Channel 4’s senior executive line up is a match for any in the media sector and this important new role will further strengthen an already outstanding team.”
Channel 4 was recently warned by outgoing culture secretary Tessa Jowell that it faces close scrutiny from the government in the wake of recent controversies such as the Big Brother racism row (see Government To Keep A Close Eye On Channel 4).
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