Mike Desmond, the former ITV executive, is to take up the role of executive chairman at Channel TV from the beginning of October.

In the position, Desmond will head the senior executive team of Channel TV, reporting to David Fordham, the group media director of Channel TV's parent company Yattendon Investment Trust.

Desmond was sacked as ITV Broadcasting chief executive in September 2005, at the same time Simon Shaps was appointed director of programmes. He went on to become non executive director of retail TV supplier Avanti Screenmedia two months later.

Founded in 1962, Channel Television is one of the 15 regional licensees that make up the ITV Network. The smallest of ITV's regional companies, it broadcasts to 150,000 people in 58,000 homes across the Channel Islands.

Desmond told Broadcast: "Having worked in the television business for 25 years, I believe I can add value to Channel's future business objectives and I am looking forward to working with the team in achieving them. As a part time chairman, it complements the portfolio of roles that I have created since leaving ITV."