Channel 4 named Geoff Cooper as Chair to lead digital‑first streaming strategy

Channel 4 has announced the appointment of Geoff Cooper as its new chair, succeeding Sir Ian Cheshire, with his term set to begin in October and interim executive Dawn Airey returning to her non‑executive duties.

Cooper, currently chair of AO World and former chief executive of Travis Perkins, was chosen after a rigorous selection process overseen by Ofcom chair Lord Michael Grade, with the final appointment made by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, according to Channel 4. He will immediately begin working alongside Jonathan Allan, Channel 4’s interim CEO, who praised Cooper’s “extensive board‑level experience from a wide range of businesses, as well as proven commercial acumen.”

Jonathan Allan stated, “Cooper brings extensive board‑level experience from a wide range of businesses, as well as proven commercial acumen.” Cooper himself remarked, “Channel 4’s people, partners in the independent production sector and wider media landscape, and viewers are vital in representing unheard voices, challenging with purpose and reinventing entertainment,” adding, “I look forward to serving all of them.” Justin Nandy’s appointment of Cooper was justified by the broadcaster’s need to adapt to the changing media landscape and to provide “top quality programmes” while ensuring Channel 4 preserves its purpose and audience reach in a shifting market.

The appointment comes amid growing pressure on the broadcaster driven by long‑term decline in traditional broadcast viewership and the migration of audiences—especially younger ones—towards streaming platforms. Channel 4 aims to become a “digital‑first public service streamer” by 2030, a transformation that Cooper will help guide. The role also entails aiding in the appointment of a permanent CEO following Alex Mahon’s departure earlier this year, and using newly granted powers for in‑house production rather than relying solely on independent producers. Cooper, with more than 30 years of board experience including positions at Dunelm, Card Factory, Brakes, and Bourne Leisure, brings a commercial leadership profile suited to these challenges.

This leadership change follows a difficult fiscal period for Channel 4. In 2023, the broadcaster’s revenue fell to approximately £1 billion, with a pre‑tax loss of £52 million, after a larger revenue base in 2022. Concurrently, production powers recently granted to the broadcaster allow it to develop in‑house content, part of a broader strategy to counteract shrinking linear revenue and declining commissioning from legacy publishers. Cooper’s mandate will include leveraging these new powers, guiding Channel 4 through its next chapter of digital transformation, and reinforcing its role as a core institution in Britain’s media ecosystem.