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STV picks ITV’s Pitts as CEO

Scottish national broadcaster STV has hired the exec responsible for a turnaround in ITV’s online fortunes as its new CEO.

Simon Pitts

Simon Pitts will join STV from January next year to replace Rob Woodward, who revealed in April he would be stepping down from the role.

Pitts has been with ITV for 17 years and is currently MD for online, pay TV, interactive and technology at the UK commercial broadcaster.

Margaret Ford, STV Group chairman, said Pitts’ “sector experience, drive and track record in delivering strategic change make him an ideal candidate to lead STV’s next phase of growth.”

Pitts added: “I have got to know STV well during my time at ITV and I’m excited by the opportunity to lead a company with such a strong brand and relationship with its audience. I’m looking forward to working with everyone at STV to make the most of its great potential in the future.”

Pitts joined ITV in 2000 and has held a range of roles across corporate strategy, general management, digital media, policy and regulation, and public affairs.

He was appointed to his most recent role in 2014 after the departure of Fru Hazlitt.

Pitts has since as steered the expansion of ITV’s digital services, including the relaunch of the broadcaster’s online presence as the ITV Hub, which has seen huge growth this year among younger viewers thanks to reality series Love Island.

He was also behind the launch of ITV’s US joint-venture SVoD service BritBox, a collaboration with the commercial arm of the BBC.

Pitts also oversaw ITV’s recent partnership with online youth network AwesomenessTV and eSports ventures including its investment in 24-hour video gaming channel Ginx eSports TV.

He was also reportedly in the running to replace Adam Crozier in the top job at the commercial broadcaster, a role eventually filled by former EasyJet chief Carolyn McCall.

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