Anne Bulford, OBE to step down as Channel 4 Chief Operating Officer

26 February 2013

Anne Bulford, OBE is to step down as Channel 4 Chief Operating Officer and join the BBC as Managing Director, Finance and Operations.

Commenting on her departure David Abraham, Channel 4 Chief Executive, said:

“In the history of Channel 4 very few people have made such a broad and lasting contribution to the health of the Corporation as Anne.

Over the past 8 years she has tirelessly defended our creativity, led our successful transition through digital switchover, masterminded the launch of 4OD and steered us through the financial challenges of the recession which has left us with record reserves. We will miss her enormously.

However she leaves behind a very talented team. A transition period will now begin, and in the interim Anne’s direct reports will work into me. We hope to conclude this transition swiftly, as we put in place a new leadership structure for these teams.

We also look forward to working with Anne and her new BBC colleagues as we continue to seek new ways of furthering the ideals of public service television in Britain.”

Anne added:

“I have loved every minute of my time at Channel 4. It is an immensely special place, doing fantastic and important work. In the end it’s the people that really make a place, and Channel 4 is filled with brilliant people, in my teams and right across the organisation. The opportunity to return to the BBC is an exciting one, but I will miss Channel 4 and everyone here very much.”

Anne joined Channel 4 in the newly created role of Group Finance Director in July 2005. She became Acting Chief Executive between October 2009 and May 2010 and was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in June 2010 following the arrival of David Abraham as Chief Executive.

Bulford has responsibility at board level for a number of key functions at Channel 4 including Finance, Legal and Compliance and Commercial Affairs, the Strategy department, Commercial and Business Development and technology operations.