Another top ABC Oz exec resigns

The top-level exits continue at Australian pubcaster the ABC, with its chief operating officer, David Pendleton, resigning today.

Pendleton has been with the ABC since 1996, but will exit at the end of the financial year after assisting managing director Michelle Guthrie and the ABC executive team in preparations for the next budget.

Pendleton is effectively the ABC’s top operations and finance exec, but is exiting to “focus on new challenges”.

His exit comes just a week after the ABC’s director of television, Richard Finlayson, announced he was leaving ahead of a restructuring that Guthrie is expected to reveal soon that will remove power from TV, news and radio content chiefs.

It also follows the departures of digital networks director Angela Clark and international CEO Lynley Marshall.

“It has been a privilege and an honour to contribute to Australia’s most respected media organisation,” said Pendleton. “I am proud of my team’s achievements during my time here as we have evolved from an analogue to a digital broadcaster.

“Despite the many challenges, we have continued to innovate and provide outstanding service to the Australian public. I would like to acknowledge the many MDs, chairs, board directors, colleagues and teams I have worked with in my time at the ABC. I am confident that I leave the ABC in great shape with its best years ahead.”