Thompson
Nick Thompson, the long-time boss of Arqiva’s broadcast & media division, is leaving the company, Broadband TV News has learnt. It comes as part of a reorganisation that sees the return of Steve Holebrook to Broadcast and the appointment of former Channel 5 strategy director Charles Constable as managing director of the company’s newly created Digital Platforms business unit.
The moves follow the arrival in January of former ITV chief operating officer John Cresswell as the broadcast services company’s new CEO.
Arqiva said Thompson had decided it is the right time to leave Arqiva to pursue new opportunities. “Nick has played a major role in making Arqiva what it is today and we wish him well in the future,” said Cresswell.
Thompson was put in charge of both Arqiva’s satellite and terrestrial businesses when the divisions were merged last October. At the same time, then CEO Tom Bernie stepped down, leading to Cresswell’s appointment. Steve Holebrook, who had previously been MD for Terrestrial Broadcast, was moved to become MD for Government, Mobile & Enterprise.
Thompson joined Arqiva in July 2005 following the acquisition of Inmedia Communications, having led a successful management buy-out of the Inmedia division from Kingston Communications. At Arqiva he oversaw the integration of BT Satellite Services.
Constable
Constable will be responsible for developing Arqiva’s Freeview multiplex business, as well as establishing the transmission company’s position within connected TV, in particular its role within the YouView consortium. Broadband TV News understands that a decision on whether Constable’s responsibilities will also extend to SeeSaw and be taken on his arrival on June 6.
In February Arqiva announced the appointment of Ingenious Corporate Finance to find an investment partner to initiate acceleration in the development of the broadband TV service.
