ITV appoints new independent director

ITV has announced that the former Procter & Gamble and HM Revenue & Customs chief Mike Clasper will replace Sir James Crosby as a non-executive senior independent director.

Clasper was first appointed to the ITV board in January 2006 and is currently chairman of the Audit committee as well as a member of the Nominations committee.

He will step into Crosby’s shoes on January 1 along with the former Asda chief Archie Norman, who is set to take on the role of chairman.

Clasper and Norman’s appointments mark a turning point for the ITV board, which is still searching for a new chief executive to replace Sir Michael Grade.

ITV has been looking for a new chief exec since April, when Grade decided to step down.  Despite talks with various candidates, including Tony Ball, Sir Crispin Davis and Sir Michael Bishop, the broadcaster is yet to find a suitable contender to take on the role.