The organisation behind Freeview and Freesat has appointed Samsung’s Deep Halder to the newly created role of Chief Commercial Officer.
Halder will lead the development of the organisation’s commercial and partnership strategy with a focus on consumer electronics and operating systems partners as well as retail and content providers.
Halder has held a number of roles at Samsung, across strategy, business development, commercial, sales & marketing and general management, in the UK and South Korea. Before joining Samsung, he worked at a life-sciences and materials-sciences company in the Netherlands and before that at a web start-up in the United States.
“I’m delighted that Deep is joining Digital UK in this important role as we think about the evolution of free-to-air television in the UK,” said Jonathan Thompson, Digital UK CEO. “Building long-term partnerships across the industry has been a vital part of the success of free-to-view TV in the UK and will remain a key part of our future.”
Halder added: “Working for Samsung has been a fantastic experience and I’m proud to have played a part in the company’s success as a Top 10 global brand. I’m now looking forward to moving to the other side of the TV business to lead the commercial activity for the UK’s free TV platforms in what is a fast moving, global market.”
Digital UK’s Current Director of Business Development and Strategy, Simon Hunt, will step down from his role at the end of September and continue in an advisory role until the end of the year.
As part of the senior management team restructure, Digital UK’s Finance & Legal Director, Eric Mitchell, is being promoted to Chief Finance Officer. Mitchell, who has been with Digital UK for over 15 years, has been instrumental in multiple commercial deals and agreements, most recently for the launch of Freeview Play and Channel 5’s joining the PSB joint venture.
Halder’s appointment and Mitchell’s promotion completes the process to put a new top team in place as the company and its public service broadcaster shareholders look to better compete with global streaming services. The final team comprises Orf Warr as CTO, Sarah Milton and Carl Pfeiffer as CPO, Deep Halder CCO and Eric Mitchell CFO.
Halder takes up his new role on Monday 12th September and Mitchell steps up as CFO with immediate effect.
