John Cresswell will become ITV's new finance director when Henry Staunton steps down after thirteen years in the position, it was announced today.

Cresswell, currently ITV's chief operating officer, has worked in independent TV for nearly 20 years, starting at TVS before moving to UBM and then Granada.

"John’s management qualities and his experience in both financial and operational roles within the media business singled him out as the preferred candidate," said ITV chairman Sir Peter Burt. "We are very pleased to have secured as Finance Director an individual who is so well qualified and respected within both ITV and the industry."

ITV also announced today that Ben McOwen Wilson will join the network as strategy director, a newly-created position. He will report directly to ITV CEO Charles Allen, and comes to ITV from Spectrum Strategy Consultants.

"I’m extremely pleased to be appointing two executives of such high calibre to ITV’s top team," said Allen.