Lighting resigns as Five chief executive

Jane Lighting has resigned as chief executive of Five with effect from tomorrow.

Lighting's departure was not unexpected after Tuesday's shock announcement that Dawn Airey was leaving ITV and joining Five as chairman.

Lighting joined Five in 2003 and oversaw the creation of Five US and Five Life, now Fiver. She said she was leaving over a disagreement with the broadcaster's parent company, RTL Group.

"Five years is a long time to serve at the head of a major public service broadcaster and I am hugely proud of what Five has achieved in this time," she said. "Sometimes in business, situations occur where a common agreement over strategic direction can’t be reached and, unfortunately, on this occasion my vision for Five differs to that of RTL Group, the channel’s owner. It is for this reason I have decided to step down."

Gerhard Zeiler, chief executive of RTL, said: "In a highly competitive and rapidly changing market, she led the broadcaster into profitability, kept the audience share stable and increased Five’s share of advertising revenues. Jane is a fantastic person to work with and I wish her the best of success and happiness for her future."

Mark White, Five's executive director of sales, is expected to take over as interim chief executive until Airey's arrival. ITV said Airey, who was managing director of global sales, would take "an extended period of gardening leave" before starting her new role.