EXCLUSIVE: Channel 4 has kicked off the search for its next CEO following the departure of Alex Mahon this summer.
Sources told Deadline that Ashling O’Connor, a consultant at executive search firm Spencer Stuart, has circulated a brief for the Channel 4 role and is drawing up a list of potential candidates.
A person familiar with the matter said the brief places an emphasis on public service broadcasting experience, despite industry chatter that Channel 4 could look for a TV outsider with digital expertise.
Channel 4 has commenced the search process before the appointment of its next chair, which must be rubberstamped by the UK government.
Ofcom, the UK media regulator, has been leading the search for former chair Ian Cheshire’s replacement and sources said a recommendation has been made to ministers.
Justin King, the former boss of retail giant Sainsbury’s, and Debbie Wosskow, the entrepreneur who currently sits on Channel 4’s board, have both been linked to the post. Movement is expected after Parliament returns on September 1.
The new chair will be handed O’Connor’s long list of potential CEO candidates before proceeding to a formal recruitment process. The chair will ultimately have final pick.
Early runners and riders include Jonathan Allan, Channel 4’s interim CEO, and Sarah Rose, Paramount UK’s chief operating and commercial officer. All3Media CEO Jane Turton has also been heavily linked to the position.
Channel 4’s leadership was the source of widespread speculation in the wings of the Edinburgh TV Festival this week. Many expect a new CEO to bring in a replacement for Ian Katz, Channel 4’s longest-serving content chief, though nothing is certain at this stage.
Katz has acknowledged that there are questions over his future, but struck an upbeat tone at Edinburgh, during which he made the case for hits on his watch, including unscripted series Virgin Island.
Mahon announced her departure in April. She has joined live entertainment group Superstruct, which operates Cornwall’s Boardmasters festival and Barcelona’s Sónar.
Channel 4 declined to comment.
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