Channel 4 leader govt Alex Mahon to step down after just about 8 years

The leader govt of Channel 4, Alex Mahon, is to step down after 8 years and can go away the broadcaster in the summertime.

During her tenure Mahon, who joined in 2017 as the primary feminine CEO within the broadcaster’s four-decade historical past, helped combat off an try to privatise Channel 4.

The 51-year-old, who confronted complaint when she took house the largest pay packet of any leader govt in Channel 4 historical past, will likely be changed on an period in-between foundation via the manager running officer, Jonathan Allan.

“She has been one of the most impactful chief executives since Jeremy Isaacs’ founding of Channel 4 more than 42 years ago,” stated Dawn Airey, period in-between chair on the broadcaster.

Potential applicants for the highest process come with Allan, who implemented and misplaced out to Mahon final time spherical, and the broadcaster’s leader content material officer, Ian Katz.

Externally, the function is more likely to pique the hobby of Apple’s European inventive boss, Jay Hunt, who were the favorite to take over from outgoing leader govt David Abraham in 2017.

Hunt, who was once liable for poaching The Great British Bake Off from the BBC, nonetheless considered one of Channel 4’s largest displays, resigned because the broadcaster’s leader inventive officer days ahead of the Mahon was once introduced as its new leader govt.

In her time on the helm Mahon navigated Channel 4 throughout the pandemic, even if was once criticised as bosses and personnel took house thousands and thousands in bonuses amid talks with the federal government about tapping a £75m credit score facility to climate the coronavirus shutdown.

Other high-profile incidents right through her tenure have integrated the risk to study Channel 4’s broadcasting remit in 2019 after the channel determined to exchange then high minister Boris Johnson with a melting ice sculpture right through a local weather exchange debate.

More lately, Mahon has been addressing the fallout from accusations made in opposition to Russell Brand when he made displays for Channel 4 within the noughties.

Last yr, the broadcaster moved to chop personnel numbers via 240 within the largest spherical of layoffs in 15 years, having suffered the steepest proportionate fall in revenues in its historical past in 2023.

Mahon had lead the way for deep cost-cutting – together with transferring to promote Channel 4’s London headquarters of 20 years . She instructed a committee of MPs that the TV trade was once dealing with the worst promoting downturn for the reason that 2008 monetary disaster, describing it as “market shock territory”.

Big cuts to Channel 4’s content material finances, and pausing some recommissions, put critical pressure at the masses of impartial manufacturers reliant on Channel 4.

A backlash from the trade led to Channel 4 bosses “deferring” retention bonuses, loyalty bills supposed to be in reputation in their dedication right through the federal government’s aborted plans to privatise the broadcaster.

Mahon and Allan therefore approved the bills, value masses of 1000’s of kilos, whilst Katz declined.

As a part of Channel 4’s a hit defence in opposition to privatisation Mahon promised to noticeably build up the broadcaster’s presence out of doors London.

The broadcaster has a “national headquarters” in Leeds – and artistic hubs in Bristol and Gasgow – with worker numbers within the “nations and regions” not off course to succeed in 600 this yr.

Mahon has additionally led a strategic shift to transport Channel 4 clear of its ancient dependence at the declining conventional TV advert marketplace.

While the state-owned, commercially funded broadcaster nonetheless is determined by promoting for roughly 80% of all source of revenue, virtual revenues from its streaming operation handed the 30% mark final yr – a yr forward of goal.

“Working at Channel 4 has been a lifetime privilege because Channel 4 is the most extraordinary organisation,” Mahon stated. “From navigating the threat of privatisation … to shifting out of London, to digital transformation, lockdowns, political upheaval, advertising chaos – there has never been a dull moment.”