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Currell leaves Viacom after two decades

Viacom is looking for a president of its UK, Northern and Eastern Europe operations after veteran exec James Currell stepped down from the post with immediate effect.

James Currell

The Viacom veteran was promoted to his most recent role, exec VP and MD for the UK and Northern and Eastern Europe, in 2017 following Bob Bakish’s appointment as Viacom CEO.

Currell was previously chief operating officer and replaced David Lynn, who was promoted to oversee the whole Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) operation as CEO. Lynn and UK chief operating officer Paul Dunthorne will now take interim charge of Currell’s remit until a replacement is found.

Currell has been with Viacom for almost 20 years, arriving in 2001 as VP and financial controller of LA-based Paramount Pictures, before moving to the international business in 2008 to work as chief financial officer for the UK and Australia.

He was promoted in 2017 to oversee VIMN businesses in 33 European countries, reporting to Lynn, and managed networks including Channel 5 in the UK, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon.

Lynn described Currell as being “integral to the extraordinary growth of our operations managed out of the UK in recent years and Viacom owes him a huge debt of gratitude and thanks.”

Lynn added: “He has played a leading role in the acquisition and integration of Channel 5 and in the success our flagship pay brands have enjoyed in the UK, as well as the strengthening of our operations across Northern and Eastern Europe. I will miss him greatly when he departs.”

Currell said: “I’m confident my successor will be taking over a business that is very well placed to continue growing in all the major markets in which we operate.”

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