COO Role Returns to Channel 4 Under Executive Shakeup

As the executive restructure continues at Channel 4, the company has added the position of chief product officer and reinstituted the role of chief operating officer (COO).

Channel 4 last had a COO in 2013, and now, Keith Underwood, previously the director of strategy and technology, has been appointed to the role while a full recruitment process is undertaken. The COO will lead Channel 4’s finance, workspace, operations and information systems teams. This follows the departure of group finance director, Glyn Isherwood, who joined the BBC earlier this month.

The new role of chief product officer will be charged with spearheading Channel 4’s push into new digital areas and take on responsibility for the All 4 online product and systems delivery as well as working with teams across the business to develop Channel 4’s digital capabilities.

Additionally, Caroline Ross was appointed to the new role of chief human resources officer. Ross joins the broadcaster on April 30 and will lead Channel 4’s people and HR functions across the organization. Sarah Rose, previously the director of consumer insight, was named chief consumer and strategy officer. The new role brings together Channel 4’s strategy team with the audience and commercial research teams, as well as data science, into a new department.

Jonathan Allan, previously Channel 4’s sales director, is stepping into the position of chief commercial officer. He will take on additional responsibilities for leading Channel 4’s 4 All the U.K. Nations & Regions strategy, including the pitch process for the new creative hub locations. Lynette Huntley, previously head of planning, was appointed to the new role of chief of staff, for which she will retain her corporate planning brief and work to support Channel 4 Chief Executive Alex Mahon on priority projects. Huntley will also support Chair Charles Gurassa and the Channel 4 board.

Mahon said, “Our leadership team comprises some of the industry’s leading commercial and creative innovators and these new roles will strengthen our strategic capabilities, especially as we develop further in digital. I’m incredibly excited to welcome Caroline to the team—she brings a huge amount of experience leading HR for global media and tech organizations and developing diverse talent.”