Lord Hall named Channel 4 deputy chairman

Royal Opera House chief executive Tony Hall has been appointed deputy chairman of Channel 4 by Ofcom, succeeding Lord Puttnam.

Hall, who was enabled as Lord Hall of Birkenhead last year, will take up the new role from February 1, 2012 to March 31, 2015. He is already a non-executive director on the Channel 4 board.

Lord Hall will assist Channel 4 chairman Lord Burns, who joined the broadcaster's board in January 2010, and has now been appointed to a second three-year term until 2016.

Ofcom has also announced new non-executive members of the Channel 4 board, including former Press Association executive Paul Potts; MT Rainey, co-founder of WPP-owned ad agency RKCR; and Josie Rourke, the new artistic director of Donmar Warehouse.

All the non-executive appointments are for three-year terms starting on January 1, 2012.

Lord Puttnam, digital champion Martha Lane Fox and private investment company boss Stephen Hill will all leave the Channel 4 board in January 2012.

Ofcom chairman Colette Bowe said: "I am delighted that Terry Burns has agreed to undertake a second term as chairman of Channel 4 which has greatly benefited from his experience and leadership since he joined in 2010.

"I welcome the new appointments who will complement the existing skills of the Channel 4 board, bringing experience from print media, advertising and the theatre and particularly congratulate Tony Hall on his succession to the deputy chairman role."

She added: "I would also like to thank the departing board members for their contribution to the Channel 4 board and wish them well with their new ventures.

"All three departing members have been on the board for many years and have provided much-valued advice and support to Channel 4 during that time. I am particularly grateful to David Puttnam for his invaluable service as deputy chairman."

Lord Burns said: "I would also like to express my thanks to the support I have received from the departing members of the board and to welcome the three new appointments.

"I very much look forward to working with them over the next few years. I am also pleased that Tony Hall is to become my deputy chairman; he brings many years experience of the broadcasting and arts industries and has been a source of wise counsel on the Channel 4."