EasyJet boss McCall named ITV CEO

The CEO of low-cost carrier EasyJet, Carolyn McCall, is to become chief executive of leading UK commercial broadcaster ITV.

McCall emerged as frontrunner to succeed Adam Crozier earlier this month, and an announcement this morning confirmed her appointment.

“In a very impressive field of high calibre candidates, Carolyn stood out for her track record in media, experience of an international operation, clear strategic acumen and strong record of delivering value to shareholders,” said ITV chairman Peter Bazalgette. “I’m delighted we’ll be working together at ITV.”

McCall will take up her role on January 8, 2018. She said ITV was “a fantastic company in a dynamic and stimulating sector”, adding it had “amazing opportunities… in the future”.

McCall has experience in the media sector, having previously been group CEO of newspaper company Guardian Media Group before joining EasyJet, where she is credited with leading the business to a significant uptick in fortunes and shareholder returns.

ITV CFO and COO Ian Griffiths is currently leading the network, which has seen growth under former FA and Royal Mail boss Crozier.

While the broadcaster has seen its audience share slip like the other major UK networks, Crozier has focused on building out international production and distribution revenues. The strategy has largely offset losses and turned ITV into a major player in the US and other markets.

Crozier announced his exit earlier this year, having joined in 2010.