Channel 4 COO Joins the BBC

LONDON: Anne Bulford has stepped down as the chief operating officer of Channel 4 to join the BBC as managing director of finance and operations.

Bulford joined Channel 4 as the group finance director in July 2005. She became acting chief executive from October 2009 to May 2010, later being promoted to COO, in June 2010. She now steps into the role of managing director for BBC Finance and Operations, which will combine the two posts of chief financial officer and chief operating officer. The COO post at the BBC actually closed in September, and the organization’s current CFO, Zarin Patel, is stepping down.

David Abraham, Channel 4’s chief executive, said: “In the history of Channel 4 very few people have made such a broad and lasting contribution to the health of the Corporation as Anne.

“Over the past 8 years she has tirelessly defended our creativity, led our successful transition through digital switchover, masterminded the launch of 4OD and steered us through the financial challenges of the recession which has left us with record reserves. We will miss her enormously.

“However she leaves behind a very talented team. A transition period will now begin, and in the interim Anne’s direct reports will work into me. We hope to conclude this transition swiftly, as we put in place a new leadership structure for these teams.

“We also look forward to working with Anne and her new BBC colleagues as we continue to seek new ways of furthering the ideals of public service television in Britain.”

Bulfrod added: “I have loved every minute of my time at Channel 4. It is an immensely special place, doing fantastic and important work. In the end it’s the people that really make a place, and Channel 4 is filled with brilliant people, in my teams and right across the organization. The opportunity to return to the BBC is an exciting one, but I will miss Channel 4 and everyone here very much.”

Tony Hall, the BBC’s incoming director-general, said: “Anne’s appointment is another significant step towards building a senior management team with the creative and strategic skills to lead the BBC for the next decade. She is a remarkable talent with a very impressive track record and we are very lucky to have secured her skills for the BBC in such a competitive market. I would also like to thank Zarin for her excellent stewardship of the Finance division over the last eight years.”