Channel 4 has brought in new leadership for its commissioning team, built around three Director roles reporting to the Chief Executive.
Clear, dedicated focus
Louisa Compton and Kiran Nataraja, alongside a third Director yet to be recruited, will together lead the commissioning team.
The structure will come into effect when Ian Katz leaves the channel later this year.
The new structure is designed to give clear and dedicated focus across three distinct areas. The three new Director roles will report to Channel 4 CEO, Priya Dogra.
Compton, currently Head of News & Current Affairs, Specialist Factual & Sport will become Director of News, Digital and Audience Trust, responsible for a portfolio of genres including news, current affairs, specialist factual and sport.
Nataraja, presently Channel 4’s Director of Streaming & Content Strategy, will become Director of Content Strategy, taking an overview of how content is commissioned, funded and delivered while acting as the commercial backbone of the content function.
The new model embeds Channel 4’s editorial voice at its core, seeking to strengthen its ability to deliver bold, innovative and trusted content that represents audiences across the UK.
For producers, it means clearer commissioning priorities, faster and more transparent decision-making, and a more integrated route from development through to delivery and performance.
Dogra, Channel 4 CEO, said: “Independent producers are at the heart of Channel 4, and this new model is about giving them greater clarity and building deeper partnerships in how we work together.
“With incredibly strong creative leadership and clear accountability across our portfolios, we can back the best ideas with confidence and deliver distinctive programmes that cut through.
“Both Louisa and Kiran are outstanding leaders and well respected for their craft, and I’m confident that they – alongside the Director of Programmes – will make sure Channel 4 programming remains as distinctive, as relevant and as rebellious as ever, wherever and however our audiences watch.”
Compton said: “Trusted, fact-checked and duly impartial journalism has never mattered more.
“Channel 4 has a unique role in telling stories others don’t, asking difficult questions and bringing new perspectives to audiences across the UK.
“This new structure gives us the focus and agility to move faster, back ambitious ideas and create even greater impact across our amazing portfolio of content.
“I am delighted to be working with the Digital team and to continue to work with the Specialist Factual and Sport teams.”
Nataraja said: “In today’s market, success depends not just on great ideas, but on how effectively you deliver them.
“This role is about connecting the entire system, so that from commissioning through to performance, we’re backing the right ideas in the right way and giving them the best chance to succeed.”