Geoff Cooper Named Channel 4 Chair

Geoff Cooper is the new chair of Channel 4, the U.K. network said on Wednesday.

After months of speculation, Channel 4’s interim CEO Jonathan Allan released a statement lauding Cooper’s “extensive board-level experience” and “fresh insights.” Reports emerged last month that Cooper, chairman of the online electrical goods retailer AO, had interviewed for the British state-run broadacaster.

“I would like to congratulate Geoff Cooper on his appointment and, on behalf of everyone at Channel 4, extend a warm welcome to this uniquely special broadcaster at a critical time for public service media in the U.K.,” Allan said.

“Geoff brings extensive board-level experience from a wide range of businesses, as well as proven commercial acumen. As a publicly owned but commercially funded company, his fresh insights and new perspectives will be invaluable as we look to the next phase in Channel 4’s evolution.”

“I also want to thank Dawn Airey for her outstanding leadership and huge support as interim chair since April,” he continued, “This has been Dawn’s second spell as interim chair and we owe her a huge debt of gratitude as she returns to her important role as a brilliant non-executive director.”

Cooper’s experience so far includes board roles at companies including the Dunelm Group and builders’ merchant Travis Perkins. His appointment was reportedly signed off by U.K. culture secretary Lisa Nandy.