Carter Stuck On Gardening Leave

It looks as if one of the front runners for the top job at ITV is no longer in the running, after it emerged today that Stephen Carter is being kept on gardening leave until the end of February.

According to a report in the Guardian, Zygos, the headhunters leading the race for Charles Allen’s successor, are apparently hoping to make an appointment by Christmas.

Carter’s gardening leave allows him full pay on condition that he does not work in the sector he regulated.

Charles Allen left ITV in October to be replaced by the company’s finance director John Cresswell as interim chief executive (see Charles Allen Leaves ITV).

The latest figure to be linked with the ITV job is the head of United International Pictures, Stewart Till (see UIP Boss Linked With ITV Top Job).

Other names in the frame for the top job include Mike Clasper, former head of BAA and Roger Parry, chairman of Johnston Press.

ITV: 020 7843 8000 www.itv.com