Regulator Ofcom, which appoints the chair with the approval of the government, said a search for Cheshire’s successor will begin soon.Cheshire said: “It has been an immense privilege and honour to serve as Chair of Channel 4 and I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together to secure Channel 4’s public ownership, launch a truly progressive Fast Forward strategy accelerating the channel’s transformation into the first public service streamer, and grow the organisation’s contribution to life in the UK, with the channel‘s biggest ever intervention in the UK creative industries.”Cheshire’s replacement will join on April 10 2025 and run the Gogglebox network’s board for three years. His two predecessors, Charles Gurassa and Terry Burns, were chair for two three-year terms as opposed to one.Cheshire has had a bumpy ride. He was chair when the government first floated selling Channel 4, although this was reversed after a topsy-turvy period of months. The channel then went through financial difficulties amid the global recession, with producers venting frustrations and a plan outlined to make 250 people redundant at the start of 2024. Under Cheshire’s chair tenure, CEO Alex Mahon and programs boss Ian Katz have remained in post throughout. Both have now been with Channel 4 for around seven years.Cheshire said Channel 4 is now “leading the way in digital disruption, taking on international competition and launching award-winning programmes and films.” He cited the likes of The Piano, Big Boys and The Couple Next Door.Ofcom chair Michael Grade, a former Channel 4 CEO, called the network a “distinctive British cultural cornerstone.” “I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Sir Ian for his outstanding three years of dedicated service,” he added.Cheshire was a broadcasting outsider but used to be CEO of UK retail group Kingfisher and, before that, B&Q. The search for his successor begins shortly and is subject to the approval of Lisa Nandy, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.
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