The management board of ITV plc has appointed a headhunter to find an independent non-executive chairman for the group that will result from the completed merger of Carlton and Granada early next year.
The Zygos Partnership, a headhunting firm set up last year, is understood to have been asked to find a chairman to replace Michael Green, who was forced to relinquish his designated role at the group following pressure from institutional shareholders (see
Green Relinquishes Role As ITV Chairman Designate).
Reports suggest the firm is looking for someone from outside the media circles to prevent any possible conflict of interests that existing industry figures may have. John Viney, a founding partner at Zygos, told the Independent: “We’re looking for the most stunning chairman that can be found. The sheer weight of the person matters here. By that I mean gravitas, Wimps needn’t apply.”
Carlton and Granada are currently in the process of merging to form a single ITV company. However, they need to find a chairman in time for completion of the deal. The Department of Trade and Industry is expected to formally approve the merger by the end of this week.
Earlier this week ITV confirmed that Graham Duff has been appointed managing director of its merged sales operation. Duff is understood to be in the process of finalising his management team, which could include Carlton’s current sales director, Gary Digby, take on the role of sale director at ITV plc (see Duff Appointed To Head Up Merged ITV Sales House).
