MEDIA

Channel 4 diversity row as job cuts loom

Chairman criticises white-dominated board appointments while broadcaster grapples with slump in TV advertising
Alex Mahon, the chief executive of Channel 4, sent a note to employees warning that job cuts are “inevitable”
Alex Mahon, the chief executive of Channel 4, sent a note to employees warning that job cuts are “inevitable”
FIONA HANSON

The chairman of Channel 4 has taken a swipe at the lack of diversity of the latest appointments to its board as the broadcaster prepares to cut up to 200 jobs.

In a memo to staff seen by The Times, Sir Ian Cheshire appeared to criticise the government’s decision to appoint four white non-executive directors which he said did not reflect the broadcaster’s wider level of ethnic diversity.

“These appointments will improve representation on the board but do not yet meet the levels of representation throughout the rest of the organisation,” said Cheshire. “Appointments to the board are not ultimately in our control due to procedural reasons but we are committed to continuing to push for further progress.”

The non-executive directors include the Boots chief