Sky appoints new independent directors

Sky has announced the appointment of two new independent non-executive directors ahead of what is expected to be a tempestuous annual general meeting next week.

The satellite broadcaster is to appoint Matthieu Pigasse, controlling shareholder of Le Monde and the French edition of The Huffington Post, along with Aberdeen Asset Management founder and First Group chairman Martin Gilbert to its board.

Pigasse and Gilbert will be officially inducted as directors immediately following Sky's annual general meeting on November 29, when David Evans and Allan Leighton will retire from the board.

Sky chairman James Murdoch, who is expected to be challenged by shareholders at the meeting over his handling of the phone hacking inquiry at News International, said that the new directors will bring "wide-ranging expertise" to Sky.

He added: "With backgrounds encompassing significant experience in UK public companies and the European media sector, they will complement and add to the existing skills of our board."

The make-up of Sky's board has faced criticism from some investors ever since News Corporation's bid to take full control of the firm earlier in the year.

Some have argued that Sky's largest shareholder wields too much influence and power over the company, and called for a complete restructure of the board.

Current Pace chairman Leighton had served on Sky's board for the lengthy term of 11 years, while Evans was among eight independent directors of Sky that had previously worked for News Corp.

Rupert Murdoch's News Corp ultimately withdrew its bid to acquire the 60.9% of Sky that it did not already own in July after pressure from MPs at the height of the phone hacking scandal.

Lord Wilson of Dinton, the chairman of Sky's corporate governance and nominations committee, stressed that the new board appointments were in response to retirements, not criticism.

"The board has begun an orderly programme to replace existing directors as they retire over the coming years," he added.

"After a comprehensive search supported by external consultants, we are pleased to have identified two strong, independent directors who will contribute to the company's continued progress."

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