Sarah Rose appointed CEO of the Royal Foundation following Paramount UK exit

Paramount UK head Sarah Rose is to depart the company having landed a new job as the CEO of the Royal Foundation, a charity organisation run by The Prince and Princess of Wales.

Sarah Rose

Rose, the president of Paramount-owned broadcaster 5 (previously Channel 5) and UK regional lead for Paramount, will take up her new role in February 2026. The news was first reported by Deadline.

The highly rated executive informed staff of her decision to leave in a note but said: “This is not a goodbye note yet. There is plenty of work to be done before any of that.”

Rose started her career in TV as general manager of ITV Digital Channels between 2002 and 2006. She then enjoyed a 14-year tenure at Channel 4, reaching the position of chief consumer and strategy officer.

She joined Paramount in the summer of 2020 as chief operating officer, working her way up to her present dual role.

Kevin MacLennan, president, international and global content distribution, will now oversee a search for Rose’s successor.

Rose’s new role at the Royal Foundation will see her work for the non-profit philanthropic organisation, which runs projects around conservation, childhood development, mental health and homelessness. She will replace Amanda Berry CBE, who was recently appointed to the role of global partnerships ambassador.

In a post on LinkedIn, Rose said: “I really was not expecting to leave a job I love or an industry I have grown up in. But then nor was I expecting to get the chance to take on a role with such potential to make a difference in the world.

“I still have work to do at 5, which I shall relish until the very last moment. There will be time to play tribute to my wonderful colleagues later in the year but for now, after the flurry of excitement from today, I am very much back to the day job.”

In her note to staff, Rose stressed that she believes that she is leaving 5 in a healthy state, following the recent completion of the Paramount-Skydance merger.

“The decision to leave now has been all the more difficult because I am both impressed and excited by the vision and strategy Skydance has articulated since acquiring Paramount,” she said.

Prince William and wife Catherine said: “We are looking forward to welcoming Sarah to The Royal Foundation and to working with her on some of the issues which are closest to our hearts.”