Fincham to join ITV as director of television

Published Thursday 28 February 2008 at 11:40 by Matthew Hemley

Former BBC1 controller Peter Fincham has been hired by ITV to replace Simon Shaps as the broadcaster’s director of television.

Fincham, who left BBC1 in October 2007 over the ‘Crowngate’ affair, will take up the post in the spring and will be responsible for ITV1, ITV2, ITV3 and ITV4.

Speaking about his new appointment, Fincham said: “Becoming director of television at ITV is an irresistible new challenge and an enormously exciting opportunity. I inherit a formidable commissioning team with whom I will be working very closely in the months and years ahead.”

ITV saId Fincham was recruited by executive chairman Michael Grade and Shaps, who has been in the post as director of television since 2005.

Grade said: “Simon told me some time ago that he wanted to do this job for a maximum of three years. Simon bows out on a high, having delivered ITV’s best year-on-year broadcast performance for many years.”

He added: “It is very unusual to find a ready-made successor for a job as big as this. Peter was far and away the strongest candidate to succeed Simon. His programme-making, commissioning and scheduling experience make him uniquely qualified for the job and I am deeply impressed by his competitive instincts - particularly at the BBC.”

ITV’s board also announced today that Grade has agreed to stay on in his post as executive chairman until 2010, a year longer than planned.

Meanwhile, the broadcaster’s managing director of global content Dawn Airey and managing director of brand and commercial Rupert Howell have been appointed to join chief operating officer John Cresswell as executive directors on the main board.

Grade said: “Rupert and Dawn only joined ITV’s top team in October, but have already delivered significant progress in their respective divisions. I am delighted to welcome them onto the main board, alongside John Cresswell, who continues to provide day-to-day leadership of the executive team.”