Channel 4 Chief Executive Alex Mahon this morning announced the departure of Film4 Chairman Daniel Battsek who is set to return to the U.S. from March.Battsek, former President of Miramax and National Geographic Films, is leaving after an eight-year stint and is expected to continue working in the U.S.Film4 Director Ollie Madden will step up to lead the UK broadcaster’s film division from March. He will also take on Battsek’s position on the Channel4 board.Channel 4 told us this morning the move has nothing to do with impending cuts at the organization and that Daniel’s departure is a “personal decision” and part of a long transition between himself and Madden. The company said there wouldn’t be any other immediate structural changes as a result of the move.Cornerstone UK financier Film4 is currently riding high off the success of Yorgos Lanthimos’s Poor Things, Jonathan Glazer’s critical hit The Zone Of Interest and Molly Manning Walker’s How to Have Sex.Battsek said today: “I have had eight incredible years at Film4 and am so proud of what that team has achieved in that time. I am very happy to have played a part in finding new ,and supporting established filmmakers, as they build their careers at home and abroad. The time is now right for me to take on some new challenges and pass on the baton to Ollie. Ollie and I have worked in close partnership since he joined and I am delighted that his appointment will allow a seamless transition and help Film4 maintain the considerable momentum we have built.”Madden added: “Daniel has been an incredible leader, mentor, and more recently partner to me at Film4. I am very sorry to see him go, but grateful for the guidance and support he has given myself and the whole team – and the many fantastic filmmakers we work with. He leaves Film4 in outstanding form – with a truly world-beating, award-winning slate of influential films created by an eclectic and highly distinctive range of voices – and I am excited to maintain our trajectory and continue to fly the flag for British film.
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