Channel 4 hires the head hunter to establish the list of CEOs and riders of the CEOs
EXCLUSIVE: Channel 4 launched the search for his next CEO after Alex Mahon’s departure this summer.
Sources have told Deadline that Ashling O’Connor, consultant of the executive research company Spencer Stuart, disseminated a thesis for the role of Channel 4 and establishes a list of potential candidates.
A person familiar with the case said that the brief emphasizes the experience of the broadcasting of public services, despite the chatter of the industry that Channel 4 could seek a television outsider with digital expertise.
Channel 4 began the research process before the appointment of its next president, who must be rigged by the British government.
The OFCOM, the British media regulator, led the replacement and sources search for former President Ian Cheshire said that a recommendation had been made to ministers.
Justin King, the former boss of the Retail Giant Sainsbury’s, and Debbie Wosskow, the entrepreneur who is currently on the board of directors of Channel 4, were both linked to the position. The movement is expected after the return of Parliament on September 1.
The new chair will be awarded the long list of potential CEO candidates before going to an official recruitment process. The chair will finally have a final choice.
The first runners and riders include Jonathan Allan, interim CEO of Channel 4, and Sarah Rose, operational and commercial manager for Paramount UK. The CEO of All3media, Jane Turton, was also strongly linked to the position.
Channel 4 leadership was the source of generalized speculation in the wings of the Edinburgh TV Festival this week. Many expect a new CEO to bring a replacement for Ian Katz, the oldest content manager of Channel 4, although nothing is certain at this stage.
Katz admitted that there were questions about his future, but took an optimistic tone in Edinburgh, during which he asserted success on his watch, including unicenized series Virgin island.
Mahon announced his departure in April. She joined Live Entertainment Group Superstruct, which operates the Cornwall Cartons Festival and the Sónar of Barcelona.
Canal 4 refused to comment.
