Desmond looks to tried and trusted to plug Five board gaps

Published on Wednesday 11 August 2010 11:34

RICHARD Desmond looks set to turn to his trusted lieutenants to fill the swath of vacancies left after last week's unprecedented boardroom clear-out at newly acquired Channel Five.

The media mogul has axed a quarter of the broadcaster's 300-strong staff, including seven of nine board directors.

Industry experts expect replacements for the latter to be drawn from Desmond's Northern & Shell empire, though most posts will be gone for good as Five's new owner seeks to return the struggling business to profitability.

"I would suspect that there will be positions for his current managers," said one analyst who preferred not to be named. "He likes the experience of the people he's already got."

Among those tipped for some of the top slots at Channel Five are Stan Myerson, joint managing director of Northern & Shell, whose operations include OK! magazine, the Express stable of newspapers and adult broadcasting specialist Portland TV. Northern & Shell editorial director Paul Ashford and Portland TV managing director Paul Dunthorne are also seen as likely management contenders.

Observers remain divided as to how the new executive team will revive Channel Five's sagging advertising revenue.

Some maintain that Desmond's promise to pump around 1.5 billion into programming, plus arrangements to advertise Five across his other media outlets, will eventually allow the UK's smallest terrestrial broadcaster to compete with larger rivals.

Others insist Five must sharpen its focus to deliver a defined niche viewing audience to advertisers.