Channel 4 appoints David Abraham as chief executive
Channel 4 has appointed UKTV’s current chief David Abraham as its new chief executive.
Abraham replaces Andy Duncan, who stepped down last November, though a start date is yet to be confirmed by the broadcaster.
Channel 4’s chairman Lord Burns said: “David is a rare commodity as a broadcaster in that he has an exceptional track record as an innovative leader, both creatively and commercially. At all stages of his career he’s led creative teams and commissioned creative output of the highest quality in a commercial environment.
“It is that experience, we believe, that so well qualifies him for the challenge of running a commercially funded, public service broadcaster like Channel 4.
“The board spoke to a number of other candidates and considered many more as part of a very thorough process and we’re convinced that, in David, we have identified a creative manager of the highest quality.
“He has a track record of success as a Chief Executive and the right mix of skills to get all parts of Channel 4 working together to unlock our full creative and commercial potential and complete our transition into digital.”
Abraham added: “This is an extremely exciting, if challenging, time to be working in the media. Innovation has been part of Channel 4’s history and it will be at the heart of its future. I look forward to leading the whole organisation through its next period of growth and innovation, both creatively and commercially.”
Channel 4’s interim management team, which is currently being headed up by the broadcaster’s acting chief executive Anne Bulford, will remain in place until Abraham’s arrival.
Abraham was appointed chief executive of UKTV in April 2007, masterminding and overseeing the relaunch of G2 as Dave, which led to the re-brand of the entire UKTV network.
Under his leadership, Dave attracted 8 million new viewers, while the UKTV portfolio went on to attract record ratings and revenues following its overhaul.
Before UKTV, Abraham worked for Discovery Networks USA and Discovery Networks UK. Prior to his work for Discovery, he headed up an independent advertising agency called St Luke’s, which worked with a number of brands including Sky Digital, Boots and HSBC.
His appointment at Channel 4 is expected to come as a slight surprise to the industry, following reports of a new female chief executive.
Earlier this week, the former BBC2 controller and Discovery Channel president Jane Root was tipped as the front-runner for the role. The Talkback Thames chief executive and former BBC1 controller Lorraine Heggessey was also thought to be in with a good shot after reports suggested that Channel 4 was keen to appoint a women.
Media commentator Raymond Snoddy called it a “dark horse appointment” but suggested that it might set a good precedence of how other broadcasters, including ITV, might go about making senior appointments, by concentrating on the best person for the job.
Some candidates were reportedly put off by the £400,000 pay deal offered by Channel 4, which is around £100,000 less than Andy Duncan was paid.