Channel 4 Boss Alex Mahon To Step Down After Eight Years
There's no word on her next move, but she will exit this summer having been the UK broadcaster's first female CEO.
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Mahon's decision to exit is the second major move at the top of UK broadcasting this year, following BBC Chief Content Officer Charlotte Moore's decision to leave to become CEO of The Crown prodco Left Bank Pictures. Moore and Mahon's departures are hugely significant for the Brit TV landscape and the annoucements come within just two months of each other.
During Mahon's tenure, she fought off government attempts to privatize the broadcaster, which has a public service remit but is uniquely funded by advertizing that is then pumped back into the UK production community.
She also oversaw Channel 4's relocation to Leeds and an increase in the network's out of London presence, along with a major pivot away from linear broadcast towards a digital-first model. Bad times also occurred two years ago when producers turned on Channel 4 during a commissioning downturn and Mahon was subsequently the architect of a circa-200-staff layoffs plan.
Channel 4 COO Jonathan Allan will step in as interim CEO when Mahon exits, as a successor is sought.
Dawn Airey, Channel 4 Interim Chair, called Mahon 'a great figure in British television,' adding: 'She has been one of the most impactful CEOs since Jeremy Isaacs' founding of Channel 4 more than 42 years ago.
'She is business minded and has also been transformational both culturally and creatively, proving time and again her extraordinary ability to inspire and drive positive and meaningful change. Under her leadership, Channel 4 has moved with the times and driven the times.'
Notable shows that have come from Mahon's time at Channel 4 include Russell T. Davies drama It's a Sin, doc Russell Brand: In Plain Sight and entertainment format The Piano, while the broadcaster has also co-financed films such as The Zone of Interest, The Banshees of Inisherin, All of Us Strangers and Poor Things.
'Working at Channel 4 has been a lifetime privilege because Channel 4 is the most extraordinary organisation,' said Mahon. 'What we get to do here is much more than television because we reflect our country with humour, creativity, grit, and care. We try our best to challenge convention and to change conversations. And we do it with a kind of irreverent brilliance that simply doesn't exist anywhere else.
'I feel lucky beyond belief to have had the chance to lead Channel 4 for nearly eight years – through calm seas (very few) and stormy waters (more than our fair share). From navigating the threat of privatisation (twice), to shifting out of London, to digital transformation, lockdowns, political upheaval, advertising chaos – there has never been a dull moment. But through every twist and turn, there's been one constant: the astonishing calibre, resilience, and creativity of all my colleagues at Channel 4.'
Mahon, who has a PhD in medical physics, joined Channel 4 after senior management roles at VFX biz The Foundry and UK production group Shine, which is now part of Banijay.
Her next move will intrigue the biz. She was linked with the Director General gig when it came up four years ago and was briefly rumored to be moving to fashion brand Chloé. Her exit also comes as Channel 4 seeks a new chair with Ian Cheshire preparing to leave after serving one term.
Jesse Whittock contributed to this article.
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