A former boss of Travis Perkins is to be named as the next chair of Channel 4, the state-owned broadcaster.<\/p>\n
Sky News can reveal that Geoff Cooper, who chairs the online electrical goods retailer AO, will be appointed by Ofcom, the media regulator, later on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Mr Cooper’s appointment has been signed off by Lisa Nandy, the culture secretary, according to insiders.<\/p>\n
Money latest: Contactless spending limit may be scrapped<\/a><\/p>\n He is understood to have seen off competition from rival candidates including Debbie Wosskow, the entrepreneur, and financier Wol Kolade.<\/p>\n Sky News revealed Mr Cooper’s involvement in the process<\/a> during the summer.<\/p>\n The process to recruit a chair for Channel 4<\/a> was launched earlier this year, with Dawn Airey, the media industry veteran, holding the role on an interim basis.<\/p>\n Sir Ian Cheshire, the former Kingfisher chief executive, stepped down after just one term in the post.<\/p>\n Sir Keir Starmer’s decision to retain Lisa Nandy as culture secretary has removed a potential reason for the conclusion of the process to be delayed, with insiders suggesting a decision about a preferred candidate is imminent.<\/p>\n Sir Ian stepped down earlier this year after just one three-year term in the role.<\/p>\n The race to lead the state-owned broadcaster’s board has acquired additional importance since the resignation of Alex Mahon, its long-serving chief executive.<\/p>\n Ms Mahon, who was a vocal opponent of the last Conservative government’s proposed privatisation of Channel 4, has left to join Superstruct, a private equity-owned live entertainment company.<\/p>\n Read more from Sky News:
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