Channel 4 sets out bold package of measures to bolster presence in the Nations and Regions

14 October 2024

• Channel 4 announces plans to help deliver its commitment to 600 roles outside London and increase presence across UK as it celebrates five years of expansion in the Nations and Regions 

• All Channel 4 jobs to be advertised actively across all locations 

• New package includes offering London employees the opportunity to relocate to Channel 4 offices in Leeds, Manchester, Bristol or Glasgow  

• New Manchester office to open in summer 2025, doubling Channel 4’s current footprint in the city

 

Channel 4 is today announcing new plans to boost its strategy to reach 600 roles outside London as it approaches the fifth anniversary of opening its regional bases.  

Since opening offices in Leeds, Bristol and Glasgow, Channel 4 has increased its footprint outside London, built an organisation more representative of the UK, and championed programme-making across the whole country. 

Today it has announced that it will advertise new roles across all its locations. It will prioritise recruitment outside London, with new roles to be actively recruited in Leeds, Manchester, Bristol or Glasgow.  

Additionally, Channel 4 will introduce a relocation and financial support package for employees wanting to move out of London to another Channel 4 office. 

 As Channel 4’s Leeds base becomes more populated over time, coupled with the redevelopment of its current Manchester office, a new 100-desk space will open in the city’s newest development, No. 1 St Michael’s, in summer 2025. This will more than double the size of Channel 4’s current footprint in Manchester whilst it forges ahead with plans to reduce its London desk-space with the future sale of Horseferry Road. 

 Today’s news is the first in a series of announcements focused on three key pillars: skills, content, and people – each designed to ensure Channel 4 continues to serve and reflect the entire country, now and in the future. 

The move forms a key part of Channel 4’s Fast Forward strategy focused on growing the organisation’s presence outside London while delivering its remit to represent and champion the whole of the UK.  

Alex Mahon, Chief Executive, Channel 4 said: “This is a really special moment for Channel 4 as we continue our significant momentum to grow our presence across the UK.  

“Channel 4 has always led the way in representation and now we are going even further, strengthening our Nations and Regions commitment and offering our people the opportunity to relocate out of London and making all new roles available at any of our regional locations.  

“Manchester has always been a really important base for Channel 4, and we’re excited to be working with Gary Neville and his team at Relentless to grow our presence in this great city.” 

Gary Neville, Director at Relentless Developments, developers of No. 1 St Michael’s, said: “We’re really pleased to welcome Channel 4 to No.1 St Michael’s. The broadcaster has a strong reputation for bold and creative content, and it justifiably joins the portfolio of highly renowned brands here at St Michael’s.” 

  ENDS 

Channel 4 media contact - Tim English, Channel 4 Group PR Manager, at TEnglish@Channel4.co.uk

Relentless media contact – Lisa at lisa@truth-pr.co.uk

Notes to editors:

About Channel 4

Channel 4 exists to create change through entertainment. Publicly owned yet commercially funded, Channel 4 generates significant and sustainable cultural, economic and social impact across the UK – at no cost to the taxpayer.

The broadcaster’s distinctive remit is set by Parliament, and it has a role to represent unheard voices, challenge with purpose and reinvent entertainment. For more than 40 years, it has been a British success story, engaging generation after generation of young people.

With a unique publisher-broadcaster model, Channel 4 commissions its content from the UK independent production sector. Working with hundreds of creative companies every year, Channel 4 makes a major contribution to the local, regional and national economy, creating and supporting thousands of jobs and businesses across the country.

In 2024, Channel 4 launched its Fast Forward strategy to accelerate its transformation into an agile and genuinely digital-first public service streamer by 2030. It is designed to ensure Channel 4 embraces the generational shift in TV viewing, elevates its impact across the UK and stands out in a crowded market.

From its bases in London, Leeds, Manchester, Bristol and Glasgow, Channel 4 is fully committed to harnessing the power of its regional structure to increase its impact across the UK. Through its training and development initiative 4Skills is opening up opportunities in broadcasting, with a particular focus on disadvantaged young people and addressing skills gaps across the Nations and Regions. 4Skills invests £5m in training, development and learning opportunities annually and this will double to £10m by 2025.

Channel 4 has the UK’s biggest free streaming service. Through Film4 Productions, Channel 4 also invests in British filmmakers to huge critical acclaim, producing 43 Oscar wins and 97 BAFTA wins in its history.

About Relentless Developments

Relentless Developments is a property development company led by Anthony Kilbride and Gary Neville. Projects to-date include Hotel Football in Old Trafford and the Stock Exchange Hotel in the city centre.

15 years in the making, St Michael’s is Relentless Developments’ most ambitious development to date. The fully Net Zero development will set new sustainability standards, targeting NABERS 5* and BREEAM Outstanding. The £400m regeneration project is supporting 6,000 new, construction and operational jobs and will bring an estimated £300m of benefit to public sector finances.