C4 exodus continues

The exodus of executives from UK broadcaster Channel 4 (C4) shows no sign of abating, with Dispatches commissioning editor Kevin Sutcliffe the latest out the door.

Sutcliffe has been with C4’s news and current affairs team for 10 years editing its flagship current affairs programme Dispatches and, since 2006, serving as deputy head of news and current affairs.

Dispatches recently relaunched in a new 30-minute format but Sutcliffe says he is stepping down to move on to new challenges.

Sutcliffe said: “After 10 fantastic years of troublemaking for Channel 4 I have decided it is time to look for new projects and challenges. I have been lucky to have worked on an incredible range of programming with hugely talented people and production companies.

“I have also enjoyed Channel 4’s unstinting support when Dispatches has taken on the biggest subjects and ruffled the feathers of the rich and powerful. I’m pleased to be handing over a reshaped Dispatches fit for the challenges of the digital world.”

While at C4 Sutcliffe commissioned Undercover Mosque, Politicians for Hire and Terror in Mumbair and Dispatches won numerous Bafta, Emmy and RTS awards.

Head of news and current affairs Dorothy Byrne said: “Kevin was keen to oversee the tender process and help shape the new look Dispatches, now that is complete he feels the time is right to move on to new challenges.

“Under his tenure, Dispatches has won every major award in the world and created memorable television. He has also been a kind and considerate colleague who we will miss greatly.”

It’s the latest in a series of executive departures from C4 in recent months.

Head of scheduling for diginets E4 and More4, Paul Mortimer, left before Christmas, a week after Sue Murphy, C4’s head of features and factual entertainment, headed for the exit. Other departures of late include Camilla Campbell and Robert Wulff-Cochrane, who had run C4′s drama department for the last two years; head of daytime Helen Warner; documentaries chief Hamish Mykura; and Darren Smith, commissioning editor for entertainment.