Channel Five bosses to go after Desmond takeover

CHANNEL Five chief executive Dawn Airey and the station's programme boss are to leave following media magnate Richard Desmond's takeover, it was announced yesterday.

The channel will also shed between 60 and 80 jobs from its 300-strong workforce.

Ms Airey, director of programmes Richard Woolfe and managing director Mark White are among a number of senior executives who will leave in the coming months, staff were told yesterday morning.

Mr Desmond's company Northern & Shell has also announced plans for 1.5 billion of investment in the channel over the next five years. Ms Airey will remain for several months and is leaving for a senior role at the RTL Group, Five's former owner.

The announcements are the first major moves since Mr Desmond's purchase of the channel last month from RTL in a 103.5m deal.

Ms Airey will continue in her role for the time being "to facilitate the implementation of a cost-efficiency programme" which aims to return the firm to profitability.