Ian Cheshire appointed Chairman of Channel 4

Veteran businessman Ian Cheshire has been named the next chairman of Britain’s Channel 4, media regulator Ofcom announced on Sunday. Cheshire will join the network’s board of directors on April 11, replacing interim chairman Dawn Airey.

Cheshire is currently Chairman of Spire Healthcare plc, Chairman 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 the Mental Health at Work Leadership Council. He was Group Chief Executive of Kingfisher plc from 2008 to 2015 and before that Chief Executive of B&Q from 2005. He has also been Chairman of Barclays UK, the British Retail Consortium, Debenhams plc and Maisons Du Monde SA and a Senior Independent Director at Whitbread plc.

In public service, he was Lead Non-Executive Director in the Cabinet Office, served as Chair of the Ecosystem Markets Task Force, the Economy Honors Committee and is currently Chair of the independent Food Farming and Countryside Commission. He has received multiple awards including Lifetime Contributions to Retail and Green Business.

Cheshire will take on his role at a time when Channel 4 awaits a government decision on its privatization, which was proposed last year and has undergone an industry consultation process. The Government is yet to announce a decision which, if passed, would significantly alter the mission of Channel 4, a publicly owned non-profit corporation.

Cheshire was knighted in 2014 for services to the economy, sustainability and the environment and is a Knight of the Ordre National du Merite of France. His appointment for a three-year term was approved by UK Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries.

None of the people involved in the process addressed the privatization issue directly in their prepared statements.

Dorries said: “I am delighted to appoint Sir Ian Cheshire as the new chairman of Channel 4. Sir Ian has an impressive track record at the helm of some of the UK’s biggest companies and I am confident that his proven leadership will help Channel 4 grow in strength and ensure it performs well at a time of rapid change for the industry Industry thrives long into the future.”

Maggie Carver, Interim Chair of Ofcom, said: “Sir Ian is a superb appointment to Channel 4. He has an excellent track record of success in both public and private service and is a highly experienced Chairman who will serve others with the highest standards of governance and.” Great boards ensure accountability. I would like to thank Dawn Airey for her excellent service as Interim Chair of Channel 4 since January and Charles Gurassa for his excellent six years of service prior to that.”

Cheshire said: “I look forward to joining Channel 4 at this crucial time for public service broadcasting. I look forward to helping Channel 4 reach viewers across the UK for many years to come.”