Lighting leaves Five and replaced by Airey

by Fiona Ramsay Media Week 29-Apr-08, 17:00

LONDON - Jane Lighting is to leave her position as chief executive of Five. She will be replaced in the role by ITV's Dawn Airey who also takes on the position of chairman at the broadcaster.

It is not known whether Lighting has another job to go to. There has been speculation for the last year about Jane Lighting's future at Five. It is believed that she has wanted to leave the broadcaster for some time.

Earlier today it was announced that Dawn Airey had quit her role as managing director of ITV Global Content after less than a year.

Airey made her name as director of programmes and then chief executive of the fledgling Channel Five before leaving to join BSkyB.

While at Five she infamously described the channel's content as based on "films, football and fucking".

She has quit ITV with immediate effect and will take an "extended period of gardening leave".

She was appointed to ITV's Board in February and was employed on a rolling contract with 12 months' notice period. It is not known what her start date will be at Five.

Lee Bartlett, COO of ITV Global Content, will act as interim managing director of ITV's Global Content business reporting directly to John Cresswell, COO of ITV plc.

Michael Grade, executive chairman of ITV, said: "We have assembled a strong team to lead our Global Content business and they will now report to Lee. I will spend more of my time in the Content business to ensure that the momentum is maintained."