Channel 4 has announced that Jonathan Allan, its interim Chief Executive Officer, will leave the broadcaster ahead of Priya Dogra taking up the CEO role in March.
Allan joined Channel 4 in 2011 and has held a number of senior leadership roles, including Chief Commercial Officer and Chief Operating Officer. He became interim CEO last summer, serving as the broadcaster’s ninth Chief Executive in its 44-year history.
From 2020 to 2025, Allan served as COO, playing a central role in steering Channel 4 through the Covid-19 period and helping to lead its response to the proposed privatisation of the broadcaster. During that time, he supported the launch of two major strategic plans – Future4 and Fast Forward – which Channel 4 says have strengthened its performance in digital audiences and revenues.
In his earlier role as Chief Commercial Officer, Allan oversaw the transformation of Channel 4 Sales, focusing on commercial innovation and digital growth. He was also instrumental in establishing the Diversity in Advertising Award, which commits £1 million of airtime annually to improving diverse and inclusive representation in advertising, and led Channel 4’s 4 All the UK Nations and Regions strategy and implementation.
Prior to joining Channel 4, Allan was Managing Director of OMD UK. He currently holds several industry roles including Vice Chair of the Advertising Association, membership of the ASA Industry Advisory Panel, and serving as a Non-Executive Director of Surfing England.
Jonathan Allan said: “After many wonderful years at Channel 4 being the Chief Commercial Officer, Chief Operating Officer and interim Chief Executive – the time is now right for me to go and do something new and different.
“Channel 4 is a very special broadcaster, an iconic brand and a brilliant place to work, and it’s been an absolute honour and pleasure to work with the teams here. I wish the organisation all the best and will always be cheering it on.”
Geoff Cooper, Chairman of Channel 4, added: “On behalf of the Board, and everyone across the channel, I want to thank Jonathan for all that he has done for Channel 4, and particularly the last eight months as he stepped into the role as Interim CEO.
“He was instrumental in the launch of our two transformative strategic plans, Future4 and Fast Forward, which have resulted in Channel 4 leading the way in terms of digital audiences and revenues. His leadership has guided us forward, particularly as we navigated challenging market conditions in the latter part of last year. We all wish Jonathan all the very best for the future.”
