Lisa Opie Quits Five

Lisa Opie, Five’s managing director of content, has resigned with immediate effect, following the resignation of CEO Jane Lighting.

Opie has agreed to take six months’ gardening leave.

On Wednesday it was revealed that Dawn Airey was leaving ITV with immediate effect to join RTL Group in a senior position including becoming chairman and chief executive of Five (see Dawn Airey Leaves ITV For RTL).

Then Lighting announced her resignation, taking immediate effect from today (see Lighting Resigns As Five CEO).

Opie said: “I have had a very enjoyable 18 months working with Jane Lighting and the team here at Five.

“The changes we have made during that time have given Five, and its digital channels, Five US and the recently rebranded Fiver, a strong start to the year and a good platform for the future.”

Opie added: “Five is in good health, but Jane’s departure and the arrival of Dawn Airey as chairman of Five means that it is time for a change. I would like to wish Dawn all the best in her new role – and assure her that she will be inheriting a highly capable team of creative people. In the meantime, I am confident that Mark White, interim chief executive, will maintain Five’s recent progress.”

Gerhard Zeiler, CEO of RTL Group, parent company of Five, said: “RTL Group is grateful to Lisa Opie for her achievements during her time as managing director, content. Since joining the company in October 2006, she defined and delivered the editorial and creative strategy for Five and the two digital channels. I wish her the best of success and happiness for her future.”

Opie, 48, was appointed to her role at Five in October 2006 (see Chambers Leaves Five). She was previously managing director of Flextech Television, where she spent 13 years, and where she was also a director of UKTV, Flextech’s joint venture with BBC Worldwide.

Five: 020 7550 5555 www.five.tv