26 April 2022

New Board appointment for Channel 4

Ofcom has today announced the appointment of Michael Lynton as a non-executive director to the Board of Channel 4 for a term of three years, commencing 25th April 2022.

Tony Close, Ofcom's Director of Content Standards

Michael is currently Chairman of Snap Inc, a position he has held since 2016 having joined Snap’s Board in 2013. He has also been Chairman of Warner Music Group since 2019.

Previously, Michael served as Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc from 2004 until 2017, and additionally as CEO of Sony Entertainment Inc and Sony Corporation of America from 2012 to 2017.

Prior to joining Sony, he has worked at The Walt Disney Company – where he started Disney Publishing and subsequently served as President of Disney's Hollywood Pictures; Pearson plc – where he was Chairman and CEO of Penguin Group; and Time Warner – where he was CEO of AOL Europe, President of AOL International, and President of Time Warner International.

Michael is also currently a member of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian, the Council on Foreign Relations, the RAND Corporation, and serves on the Board of Trustees of the Tate.

His appointment has been approved by the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Rt. Hon. Nadine Dorries MP.

Ofcom is required under the Broadcasting Act 1990 to appoint non-executive members to the Channel 4 Board, subject to the approval of the Secretary of State. There remain two open NED positions and it is a high priority for Ofcom to ensure a diverse list of candidates.

Notes to Editors

1.Global executive search firm, Russell Reynolds, led the search exercise. Maggie Carver, Ofcom’s Interim Chair, chaired the recruitment panel.

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