Carlton Denies Murphy Is Set To Leave

Carlton has denied reports that chief executive, Gerry Murphy, is set to leave the group and take a position at DIY group Kingfisher.

A spokesperson for Carlton told NewsLine: “He is fully occupied with his position at Carlton and has not agreed to work with anyone else.”

The speculation was first raised in The Sunday Telegraph in June and has steadily mounted since then. It has also been widely reported that Murphy has been approached by Emap to fill the chief executive position.

The scrutiny surrounding Murphy’s future is linked to the future of ITV partners Carlton and Granada. Many analysts have viewed a merger between the two companies as inevitable, despite the breakdown of negotiations in March. Such a merger would essentially leave Murphy without a job.

The speculation over Murphy’s departure was seen eroding investors confidence in the stock in early trading this morning, Carlton stock was seen down 3.74%.

However, the company’s American subsidiary, Carlton America, has secured the rights to produce a TV biopic on the life of former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Last week Carlton Broadcasting announced the appointment of Coleena Reid as managing director of its London operations (see Carlton Broadcasting Announces New Managing Director).

Carlton: 020 7663 6363 www.carlton.co.uk

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