Bazalgette named new ITV chairman

ITV in the UK has appointed a former Endemol
creative chief as its new non-exec chairman, replacing Archie Norman.

Sir Peter Bazalgette

Sir Peter Bazalgette will take up the role from May 12 following Norman’s departure, which was first revealed in January.

Bazalgette was previously chairman of Endemol UK and was behind formats including cookery show Ready Steady Cook and design show Changing Rooms. He has also been non-exec chairman at Sony Pictures Television.

He has been a non-exec director at ITV since June 2013 and is also chair of the Arts Council England and president of the Royal Television Society.

Norman, the former CEO of supermarket chain ASDA, joined ITV in 2010 and, along with CEO Adam Crozier, is largely credited with turning the company into one of the UK’s largest broadcasters.

ITV’s growth, fuelled by acquisitions of prodcos in the US and the rise of its production arm, have seen it become a takeover target.

Crozier said: “It’s been great to have had Archie as part of the team over the last six years as we transformed the company into the international media business it is today.

“ITV is now clearly in a much stronger position creatively, commercially and financially than when we started out and we’re in great shape to take on the many opportunities and challenges ahead.”

Bazalgette added: “This is an incredibly exciting time for everyone in the media sector with change happening at an unprecedented rate, and I’m absolutely delighted to be working with Adam and the management team. TV is my first love.”

Norman said his time at the helm “has been undoubtedly challenging but also extremely rewarding and enjoyable, and an experience I would not have missed for the world. The ITV I am leaving has a great track record, brilliant people and enormous potential for future growth. I leave it in the very best of hands.”