Sky restructures executive team, setup

Richard Freudenstein will not be directly replaced as BSkyB's chief operating officer.

Instead the role is being split between three existing executives as part of an organisational restructure.

Jon Florsheim, currently chief marketing officer, will also become MD of the newly-formed Customer Group, which is responsible for development and implementation of the multi-product strategy. Of particular focus will be the launch of a broadband service towards the end of the year.

Dawn Airey, MD of Sky Networks, becomes MD of Channels and Services. The new department includes Sky Networks and sees Airey taking on the additional responsibilities of interactive, mobile, online, Sky's joint ventures, wholesale distribution arrangements with cable companies and commercial relationships with third-party channels on the satellite platform.

Mike Darcey, currently group strategy director, becomes group commercial and strategy director. The role includes extended responsibility for a new group that combines Sky's Strategy, Future Technology, R&D and Business Development teams. Darcey will also "manage and develop Sky's major commercial relationships in support of the company's strategic goals".

"I am pleased to be able to call on three senior executives who have helped to bring Sky to where it is today and to extend their responsibilities in ways that are closely aligned with our business priorities," said Sky chief exec James Murdoch. "With these changes, we will work together more effectively to create greater value for customers, exploit content on multiple platforms and expand into adjacent areas of business."

Freudenstein will aid in the transition to the new structure before he departs the company this summer.