CBC/Radio-Canada Names New President & CEO

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CBC/Radio-Canada has hired Catherine Tait as president and CEO, among other appointments at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, all of which have a five-year mandate.

Tait has worked in the indie film and TV business for more than 25 years. She is a founding partner of Hollywood Suite. She most recently served as president of Duopoly. In 2006, Tait founded iThentic. She has also been president and COO of Salter Street Films.

Meanwhile, Michael Goldbloom was tapped as chair of the board of directors. He had been serving as principal and vice-chancellor of Bishop’s University in Quebec since 2008. He previously worked as a lawyer and then as president and CEO of the Montreal YMCA before returning to The Montreal Gazette at its publisher.

Suzanne Guèvremont is taking up the position of director. She has worked at Montréal’s NAD École des arts numériques, de l’animation et du design for more than two decades, most recently as the school’s director general.

Also appointed as directors are Guillaume Aniorté and Sandra B. Singh. Aniorté previously served as VP for corporate and strategic development at Frima Studios, while Singh recently became general manager of Arts, Culture and Community Services with the City of Vancouver.

Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, commented: “I am honored to announce this significant milestone for our national broadcaster. With the appointment of Ms. Tait as president/CEO, we benefit from her depth of experience as an entrepreneur, business leader and lifelong champion for Canadian content. She is without question the right person for the job. I am excited for the energy, vision and leadership she will bring while she is at the helm of CBC/Radio-Canada.

“These new directors and chairperson bring with them the varied experience necessary to ensure that CBC/Radio-Canada’s board of directors can provide the highest quality advice and leadership for our national broadcaster. Thanks to the invaluable advice provided on the appointment of these candidates by the Independent Advisory Committee, I am confident that CBC/Radio-Canada is in good hands.”

Tom Clark, chair of the Independent Advisory Committee for appointments to the CBC/Radio-Canada board of directors, added: “As the chairperson, I am very proud of the work of our independent and non-partisan committee. Our mandate—to conduct an independent selection process to find highly qualified candidates to recommend to the Minister for the CEO position—has allowed us to meet some extraordinary Canadians who truly believe in CBC/Radio-Canada. We are at a critical juncture in the future of the national public broadcaster. This new CEO, chair and board will, in my opinion, be the most consequential in the history of CBC/Radio Canada, as they will not only carry on the task of modernizing for the digital age but will also be called on to reimagine the role of the national broadcaster in a rapidly changing communication landscape. I would like to thank the Minister for the opportunity provided to us to serve as members of the Independent Advisory Committee and all the members for their time and dedication.”