Virgin Media boss Mockridge to chair RTS

Pay TV veteran Tom Mockridge will chair the Royal Television Society board of trustees, replacing the outgoing John Hardie.

The RTS said it is also looking for a new president to replace former Endemol exec Sir Peter Bazalgette, who is stepping down after six years at the helm.

Mockridge currently runs Liberty Global’s UK cabler Virgin Media. In a long career at News Corp., he worked across its footprint of pay TV platforms in Asia, Australasia and Europe, including serving as deputy chairman of BSkyB and Sky Deutschland (now both part of Sky).

ITN CEO John Hardie’s second three-year term chairing the RTS is coming to an end, as is that of deputy chair Tim Davie, the CEO of BBC Worldwide.

The deputy chair position will be filled by ITV’s online, pay TV and interactive boss Simon Pitts.

Davie will remain on the Board of Trustees alongside UK industry figures Mike Green, David Lowen, Lynn Barlow, Graham McWilliam, Jane Turton and Rob Woodward.

“Tom has a strong record for managing and chairing media companies and extensive industry knowledge,” said Theresa Wise, CEO of the RTS.

“It is a honour to have a figure with Tom’s experience chairing the board of trustees and I look forward to working with him moving forward. Simon’s expertise and understanding of our operations made him the perfect candidate and I am delighted he has agreed to extend his role and be Vice Chair.

Mockridge added: “I am delighted to join the Royal Television Society, champion of the global success story that is UK television. Together with new vice chair Simon Pitts, the board and RTS members, I look forward to supporting the growth of UK television, at home and internationally.