BSkyB Adds Unilever Top Executive as Independent Board Member

LONDON - U.K. pay TV giant BSkyB, in which Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. owns a 39 percent stake, continues to add independent board members after last year's failed attempt by the entertainment conglomerate to buy full control of the firm.

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BSkyB said Friday that it has appointed Dave Lewis, an executive at consumer goods giant Unilever, to its board as an independent director. He replaces retired board member Jacques Nasser and brings the number of board members to 15.

Lewis is president, personal care at Unilever and has worked at the company since 1987. He has held a variety of senior roles in Europe, South America and Asia, including the posts of president for the Americas and chairman of Unilever UK and Ireland.

"Dave Lewis is a highly experienced and capable executive who will bring strong operational expertise to Sky and add to the skills of the board," said BSkyB chairman Nicholas Ferguson.

BSkyB CEO Jeremy Darroch also comes from the consumer products world. He worked for Procter & Gamble for 12 years.

Beyond Ferguson and Darroch, the recently reelected BSkyB board also includes News Corp. deputy COO and former BSkyB chairman James Murdoch, News Corp. CFO David DeVoe and News International CEO Tom Mockridge.

Email: Georg.Szalai@thr.com

Twitter: @georgszalai