Airey makes shock exit from ITV

Dawn Airey has quit as ITV's managing director of global content after less than a year in the job.

Airey - who was promoted to ITV's board just two months ago - will become chairman of Five.

ITV announced the shock move in a statement today: "She will be taking an extended period of gardening leave prior to joining RTL in a senior position including being chair of Five."

Lee Bartlett, chief operating officer of global content, will take over her position for an interim period, while executive chairman Michael Grade will also have a more hands-on role.

"We have assembled a strong team to lead our global content business and they will now report to Lee," said Grade. "I will spend more of my time in the content business to ensure that the momentum is maintained."

Grade appointed Airey to oversee global content - an area which he has highlighted as key to improving the broadcaster's finances - in May last year. She took up the role in October.

Airey previously worked for Five as director of programmes between 1996 and 2003. She has also worked at Sky.