YouView has confirmed that Kip Meek has resigned as non-executive chairman after less than eight months in the role. The former Ofcom executive is being replaced by Lord Sugar, the founder of Amstrad, the set-top box supplier now owned by BSkyB.
YouView is owned by the BBC, ITV, BT, Channel 4, TalkTalk, Arqiva and Channel 5.
“Kip joined YouView at a pivotal time in our development and has helped us make a standards based, open internet-connected TV environment a reality,” says YouView CEO Richard Halton. “We would like to thank him for his considerable contribution in the development of the next generation of television.”
Lord Sugar takes up his new role with immediate effect. The high profile businessman continues to be a familiar figure on the public stage through his appearances on The Apprentice. He came to prominence through the launch of Amstrad personal computer in the 1980s and in 1989 it was an Amstrad receiver that enabled Sky Television to launch its four-channel satellite TV service from the Astra satellite.
Speaking for the shareholders, Charles Dunstone, Chairman of TalkTalk, said: “Lord Sugar’s experience in delivering set top box technology to the consumer is unrivalled and we are delighted that he will be with us as we introduce a new, enhanced television experience to homes across the UK. As we move from the development to the delivery stage I can’t think of anyone better placed to help bring YouView to market than Lord Sugar.”
Meek’s resignation comes after December’s replacement of Anthony Rose as CTO of YouView and the much-publicised delays that culminated in the project’s launch date being shifted to early 2012.
In a statement Meek said it had been apparent for some time that the YouView board would benefit from additional expertise in consumer marketing and technology delivery.
