Ofcom has announced the appointment of Sir Ian Cheshire as the new chair of Channel 4. He will take up the role on 11th April.
He is currently chair of Spire Healthcare plc, chair of the environmental investment trust Menhaden plc, and a non-executive director of BT plc. He is also chair of the Prince of Wales Charitable Fund, and of the Mental Health at Work Leadership Council.
Cheshire has also served as group chief executive of Kingfisher plc from January 2008 to early 2015 and was chief executive of B&Q from 2005.
He takes over the role as Channel 4 chair from Dawn Airey, who was appointed interim chair of the broadcaster in January following Charles Gurassa’s departure on 27th January.
Cheshire’s appointment for a three-year term has been approved by the secretary of state for digital, culture, media and aport, Nadine Dorries. Speaking about the appointment she said: “I am delighted to approve Sir Ian Cheshire to be the new chair of Channel 4. Sir Ian has an impressive record at the helm of some of Britain’s biggest businesses and I am confident his proven leadership will help Channel 4 go from strength to strength and ensure it thrives long into the future amid a time of rapid change for the sector.”
Cheshire added: “I am excited to be joining Channel 4 at this vitally important time for public service broadcasting. As it transforms for a new era of media consumption, I look forward to helping Channel 4 deliver for viewers right across the UK for many years to come.”
