New CFO Named at UKTV

Mary Basterfield is joining UKTV in 2018 from Dentsu Aegis Network to serve as the U.K. multichannel broadcaster’s chief financial officer.

In her new role, Basterfield will be responsible for all financial decision-making at the third largest commercial broadcaster in the U.K. She will also have a seat on the executive board. Basterfield will work closely with CEO Darren Childs and the management team to play an active role in influencing the performance and strategic and commercial direction of the business, including achieving financial targets, controlling cash-flow and management accounting. She will also work closely with the creative side of the business, ensuring that finance continues to support innovative growth through investment in new content.

Basterfield will take up the post in early 2018, assuming the role from Tom Davidson, who has been with UKTV since February 2017 on an interim basis.

Basterfield is currently CFO for Dentsu Aegis Network UK and Ireland. In addition, Basterfield is a non-executive director and chair of the audit committee at the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust and a trustee for Students’ Union UCL and the National Cancer Research Institute. She has more than 20 years of experience in large, fast-moving organizations, where she has developed and led finance teams to help drive business performance during rapid growth.

Childs said: “Mary’s experience working in fast-paced, entrepreneurial organizations positions her perfectly to drive UKTV’s ambitious growth plans. Her knowledge equips us with the very best financial leadership, which will be invaluable as we head into a new era of creating even more original programs and growing our VOD offering.”

Basterfield added: “I am delighted and honored to be joining UKTV at such a pivotal point in its trajectory, and very much look forward to working with Darren and the team through the next phase of stellar growth.”