Justin King, certainly one of Britain’s most outstanding businessmen, is within the body to change into the following head of Channel 4, the state-owned broadcaster.
A Whitehall supply mentioned on Monday that the previous J Sainsbury chief govt – who now chairs corporations together with Allwyn, the Nationwide Lottery operator, and Ovo Vitality – had been shortlisted for the put up and was anticipated to be interviewed for it this month.
Cash weblog: Former name centre employee reveals easy tip for getting reductions
It was unclear who else remained in competition for the Channel 4 put up, though the federal government insider recommended Debbie Wosskow, who already sits on the broadcaster’s board, had additionally made it to the shortlist.
The standing of a variety of different reported candidates – together with Tristia Clarke, the previous TalkTalk boss – couldn’t be established on Monday.
If chosen, Mr King could be the newest in a string of heavyweight names to take the put up, following the likes of Sir Ian and Luke Johnson, the hospitality entrepreneur.
Mr King additionally sits on the board of Marks & Spencer, in addition to a variety of privately owned corporations.
Sir Ian stepped down earlier this 12 months after only one three-year time period within the position.
The Channel 4 chairmanship is at present held on an interim foundation by Daybreak Airey, the media trade govt who has occupied high jobs at corporations together with ITV, Yahoo! and Channel 5.
The race to guide the state-owned broadcaster’s board has acquired further significance because the resignation of Alex Mahon, its long-serving chief govt.
On the weekend, Broadcast, the commerce publication, reported that Alex Burford, one other Channel 4 non-executive director and the boss of Warner Data UK, was excited about changing Ms Mahon.
Ms Mahon, who was a vocal opponent of the final Conservative authorities’s proposed privatisation of Channel 4, is leaving to hitch Superstruct, a personal equity-owned reside leisure firm.
The appointment of a brand new chair is predicted to happen by the autumn, with the chosen candidate anticipated to guide the recruitment of Ms Mahon’s successor.
Recruitment to the board of Channel 4 is technically led by Ofcom, the media regulator, in settlement with Lisa Nandy, the tradition secretary.
The Channel 4 search is going down at a time when the BBC is beneath rising stress from Ms Nandy over its determination to not curb the broadcasting of Bob Vylan’s Glastonbury Competition set, by which the band referred to as for the demise of Israeli armed forces.
Channel 4 declined to remark.
