Kate Barnes leaving Channel 5

Kate Barnes is to leave British commercial broadcaster Channel 5 after being made redundant.

The Northern & Shell-owned broadcaster is closing the role of head of digital channels and Barnes is set to leave the company next week.

This is the latest high profile departure at the channel following the news that director of programmes Jeff Ford will be leaving in December.

A Channel 5 spokesman told TBI that Barnes’ departure is not linked to Ford’s and that the soon-to-be appointed content exec will look after 5’s digital channels 5USA and 5*.

Barnes has been at the channel since 2007, where she was poached from pay broadcaster Sky.

“The role of Head of Digital Channels will close and Kate Barnes will be leaving Channel 5. We would like to thank Kate for all her hard work building the digital brands and wish her well for the future,” said the spokesman.

Jeff Ford added: “Kate has been an excellent leader and team member and she leaves 5* and 5USA in great shape. We’ll all miss her and I’d personally like to thank Kate for the creativity and strategic expertise she has brought to her job.”