Sky's Barnes moves to Five

Sky One executive Hannah Barnes has been recruited by Five to become director of programming, Five Life and US.

Barnes moved to Sky One as managing editor of Sky One, Two and Three last May. Prior to that she worked at Living TV, where she was channel controller Richard Woolfe's deputy before he left for Sky One in January, poaching Barnes soon after.

Barnes will oversee Five Us and Five Life, replacing Nick Thorogood, who moves to commissioning, having been in role for just four months. He joined from ITV, where he was the editor of daytime for two years. Prior to that he was head of lifestyle channels at UKTV for four years.

Five’s managing director, content, Lisa Opie, said: “I’m delighted we’ve been able to attract such a talented executive as Hannah to run our multi-channel operation. She has a very impressive track record in the digital marketplace and her experience and creativity will be a tremendous asset to Five."

“I’d like to thank Nick who came in to launch the new digital channels and has done a fantastic job in firmly establishing them so quickly and successfully," she added.

The move is Opie's first major appointment since taking over as the broadcaster's managing director of content. She is due to speak at a Royal Television Society dinner early next month, her first major industry appearance since her appointment in October.