New chairman wants CTV to get up close

CHANNEL Television's new executive chairman will be drawing on a quarter-century's experience in broadcasting. Mick Desmond - the former chief executive of ITV Broadcasting - believes the station's key goal is to strengthen its relationship with the viewer.

'My responsibility is to give direction to the company in terms of future strategy and give room to the executives to run the day-to-day business,' he said. 'Changes in the marketplace mean many media companies are examining their strategies and looking at ways of generating new revenue.'

Mr Desmond said his objectives were threefold: to build a strong relationship with ITV, to ensure that Channel TV had the strongest output possible and to examine new revenue streams.

He holds a number of other positions, including chairman of a new media company and adviser to a Chinese broadcasting company.

'My Channel role is exciting,' he said.

'Having worked in the television business for 25 years, I believe I can add value to Channel's future business objectives and I am looking forward to working with the team in achieving them.

'As a part-time chairman, it complements the portfolio of roles that I have created since leaving ITV.'

Mr Desmond will report directly to David Fordham, group media director of Yattendon Investment Trust, which ultimately owns CTV.

'Mick has tremendous experience of television broadcasting in the UK gained at the highest level,' said Mr Fordham.

'With the retirement of Huw Davies as chief executive of CTV at the end of the year, the appointment of Mick reaffirms our continued commitment in developing our television broadcasting interests.'