Ofcom today announced that Geoff Cooper has been appointed as the next Chair of Channel 4.
He will join the broadcaster’s Board on 1 October, succeeding the interim Chair Dawn Airey CBE.
Geoff, currently Chair of AO World plc, has over 30 years' Board experience across a range of public and private UK companies, including as Chair at Dunelm, Card Factory, Brakes and Bourne Leisure, and as a non-executive director at Informa and Abbey National.
His executive career includes nearly 10 years as CEO at Travis Perkins plc and as Deputy Chief Executive at Alliance UniChem plc, having previously been its Group Finance Director. He has also been an adviser to senior executives, private equity, venture capital and start-up businesses, and chaired a major trade association.
Geoff’s appointment for a three-year term has been approved by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Rt. Hon. Lisa Nandy MP.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: "Channel 4 is a treasured national institution with a track record of creating cutting-edge television which reflects Britain in all its diversity.
"I look forward to seeing Geoff Cooper help Channel 4 continue to provide top quality programmes and adapt to the changing media landscape."
Lord Grade, Ofcom Chair, said: “Geoff Cooper’s appointment follows an exhaustive and competitive recruitment process and he demonstrated the stand-out qualities needed to steer Channel 4 to a sustainable future.”
Geoff Cooper said: “I am delighted to be appointed as Chair of Channel 4 and to be involved in its continued success as a significant influence on the nation’s society, culture, creative industries and wider economy.
“Channel 4’s people, partners in the independent production sector and wider media landscape, and viewers are vital in representing unheard voices, challenging with purpose and reinventing entertainment, and I look forward to serving all of them”.
Notes to Editors
Ofcom is required under the Broadcasting Act 1990 to appoint non-executive members to the Channel 4 Board, subject to the approval of the Secretary of State.