Buckingham Palace - H 2012
Getty ImagesCharles Gurassa, currently deputy chairman of EasyJet, will be the next chairman of British broadcaster Channel 4.
The government has been looking at a possible sale of the state-owned, commercially funded broadcaster in a move that would privatize it and could raise an estimated $1.3 billion (£1 billion).
He will join its board on Jan. 28, succeeding Terry Burns, whose term ends the day before, U.K. media regulator Ofcom said on Tuesday. His appointment as chairman for three years has been approved by Britain’s Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport John Whittingdale.
Gurassa is currently also chairman of the Genesis Housing Association, a trustee of English Heritage and a senior independent director for theme parks and attractions operator Merlin Entertainments.
Gurassa was formerly CEO of Thomson Travel Group, executive chairman of TUI Northern Europe, chairman of Virgin Mobile and chairman of Lovefilm, the DVD rental and streaming service that Amazon acquired in 2011.
Said Ofcom chair Patricia Hodgson: “I am delighted that we have appointed a chairman of Charles’ caliber to Channel 4. He brings with him a wealth of experience built up across a broad range of sectors.”
Said Gurassa: “I am excited to be joining Channel 4, which has a unique place in U.K. broadcasting. I look forward to exploring Channel 4’s important contribution in a rapidly changing sector.”
Channel 4’s shows include drama Humans, a collaboration with AMC. The partners last summer picked up a second season of the science fiction drama.
