Snoddy calls ITV’s Crozier appointment “courageous in the extreme”

ITV has appointed Adam Crozier as its new chief executive, less than a week after Channel 4 named its new chief David Abraham.

Crozier, who is currently the chief executive of Royal Mail Group, will take up his new role later this year, according to ITV.

Archie Norman, chairman of ITV, said: “I am thrilled that Adam is joining us as chief executive. ITV is a strong brand with talented people, facing an imperative for change as the media landscape evolves. Adam is a very strong leader with a great track record in delivering transformational change.

“He has worked successfully in talent-driven organisations, with government and regulators, and has a thorough understanding of the media, advertising and branding industries.

“His task is to bring together the skills and talent within ITV to drive the business on its strategic journey. Adam was the unanimous choice of the Non-Executive Directors of ITV after a very full and thorough search process.”

Crozier has worked at Royal Mail for seven years, and was in charge of implementing a £2 billion transformation programme, establishing the Post Office brand in the financial services market and doubling the groups operating profits to more than £320 million last year.

He will replace John Cresswell, who has been acting as interim chief executive.  Crozier’s appointment follows the company’s nine-month search for a new chief since Sir Michael Grade announced plans to step down.

In November, the broadcaster appointed the former Conservative MP Archie Norman to replace Grade as chairman.  One of his first responsibilities at ITV was to take on the search for a new chief executive.

Crozier said: “I am very excited to be joining ITV – a company with a great heritage and one of the best brands in the UK. The entire media sector is going through enormous change and that presents both great opportunities and significant challenges for everyone in the industry. The objective for ITV is to rise to those challenges and put itself at the forefront of change. I am very much looking forward to working with the people at ITV and leading the transformation ahead.”

Previously, Crozier worked for advertising agency Saatchi and Saatchi from 1988, before becoming joint chief executive with Tamara Ingram in 1995.  After that, he took on the chief executive role at the Football Association from 2000 to 2002.

Raymond Snoddy, media commentator, said: “It is courageous in the extreme. Two people at top of ITV with no experience of broadcasting.”

Greg Grimmer, partner at Hurrell Moseley Dawson & Grimmer, added: “Adam certainly likes a challenge and this is the latest in a long list of difficult jobs he has chosen to take on.

“For ITV, it is a good appointment, a turnaround specialist who is not frightened of making tough decisions.  For him, it is also a good appointment and a return to more recognisable challenges .  For the advertising industry, another a good appointment as it brings a commercially focused CEO to the UK’s largest commercial broadcaster.”