Channel 4 unveils structure of Chief Operating Officer division

Anne Bulford, Chief Operating Officer

Channel 4 today unveils the structure of the enlarged team that will report to Anne Bulford, Channel 4's recently appointed Chief Operating Officer.

In her new role Bulford will have responsibility for Strategy & Corporate Development; Commercial & Business Development and Technology alongside her previous responsibilities for Finance, Legal & Compliance and Corporate Legal & Commercial Affairs.  She will have nine direct reports and will continue to work closely with Channel 4's Chairman and Chief Executive as a member of the Channel 4 Board

Anne Bulford said: "I am very excited about this new structure which brings together the people who enable Channel 4 to realise its creative vision and remit.  This new team has the expertise and experience to make things happen, ensuring Channel 4 continues to prosper in an increasingly converged and consolidated media environment."

Following the change in Bulford's responsibilties, Glyn Isherwood, previously Group Finance Controller, has been promoted to Director of Finance.

The roles recently vacated by Nathalie Schwarz and Paul Whitehead will not be directly replaced.  Instead, Gill Pritchard adds responsibility for M&A and corporate partnerships to her existing Strategy portfolio, as Director of Strategy & Corporate Development.  In addition, Sarah Rose is promoted to the new role of Director of Commercial & Business Development, consolidating all commercial and business development activities (other than Adsales) in one group.  Rose will continue to manage VOD, Channel Developments and Channel 4's joint venture interest in Box TV but her enlarged role will now include 4 Rights and Business Development.

Following the recently announced departure of Jon Gisby, the Future Media & Technology department will be split with Richard Davidson-Houston's Online team moving to the Creative Division under his leadership and Information Systems moving to the COO division. Under the combined leadership of Bob Harris, Chief Technology Officer, Kevin Gallagher, Chief Information Officer, and David Dorans, Head of Distribution & Broadcast Technology, the restructure brings together the IS and Distribution & Broadcast Technology teams so that Channel 4 is well-placed to manage future technology challenges in a fully convergent world.

Finally, Martin Baker, Prash Naik, and Jeff O'Sullivan will continue in their respective current roles as Head of Corporate Legal & Business Affairs; Controller of Legal & Compliance; and Head of Business Assurance.