Last checked at 
(Alliance News) - Businessman Ian Cheshire has been appointed as the next chair of Channel 4.
He will join the broadcaster's board on Monday, April 11, succeeding interim chair and media executive Dawn Airey, UK telecommunications industry regulator Ofcom announced.
Cheshire, 62, served as chief executive of home improvement retailer Kingfisher PLC from January 2008 to early 2015.
Prior to that, he was CEO of B&Q from 2005.
Cheshire said: "I am excited to be joining Channel 4 at this vitally important time for public service broadcasting.
"As it transforms for a new era of media consumption, I look forward to helping Channel 4 deliver for viewers right across the UK for many years to come."
His appointment comes at a time when Channel 4 is facing the prospect of privatisation.
The UK government has been consulting on plans to privatise the broadcaster, which could be sold off to a private buyer, following concerns for its survival in the streaming era.
Cheshire currently is chair of Spire Healthcare Group PLC and a non-executive director of BT Group PLC.
Since 2015, he has also held public roles and was lead non-executive director at the UK government's Cabinet Office.
Cheshire was knighted in the 2014 New Year Honours for services to business, sustainability and the environment, and is a Chevalier of the National Order of Merit of France.
Approving his three-year term, Media Secretary Nadine Dorries said: "I am delighted to approve Sir Ian Cheshire to be the new chair of Channel 4.
"Sir Ian has an impressive record at the helm of some of Britain's biggest businesses and I am confident his proven leadership will help Channel 4 go from strength to strength and ensure it thrives long into the future amid a time of rapid change for the sector."
Lucy Powell, Labour's shadow media secretary, criticised the appointment.
She said: "Coming fresh off the heels of the appointment of a Tory peer as head of Ofcom, this decision stinks of more cronyism.
"Rather than advancing their war on Channel 4, one of the biggest drivers of creative jobs outside London, the Tories should focus on independent appointees who can do the job."
On Friday, Conservative peer Michael Grade was confirmed as the next chair of Ofcom until April 2026.
Ofcom plans to appoint two more non-executive directors to the Channel 4 board in the coming months.
By Alex Green, PA Senior Entertainment Reporter
source: PA
Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
