Louisa Compton appointed to the Channel 4 Board

Channel 4 today announces that Louisa Compton, Director of News, Digital and Audience Trust, has been appointed to the Channel 4 Board as an Executive Board Member. The Director of Programmes, once appointed, will also join the Board as an Executive Board Member.

Compton is currently responsible for News and Current Affairs, Specialist Factual, Sport and digital commissioning. She leads Channel 4’s approach to audience trust, editorial standards and the strategy for the use of AI in commissioned content – shaping how emerging technologies are applied creatively, editorially and responsibly. As a member of Channel 4’s Executive Committee, she contributes to the organisation’s overall strategy and public service mission.

Louisa oversees the multi-award-winning Channel 4 News alongside flagship current affairs programmes Dispatches and Unreported World. She launched Channel 4’s digital-first strand Untold, bringing current affairs to 16-34-year-olds, and established Channel 4’s in-house investigations unit. She also oversees sporting output at Channel 4, including the Paralympic Games, The Boat Race and Women’s FA Cup. She has been behind high-profile, news-making investigations including Russell Brand: In Plain Sight: Dispatches and was instrumental in bringing Gaza: Doctors Under Attack to UK viewers.

Prior to Channel 4, Louisa spent eight years at the BBC, where she launched the BAFTA and RTS award-winning Victoria Derbyshire programme and held several senior editorial leadership roles. These included Editor of Radio 1 and 1Xtra’s Youth News Service and Editor of BBC Radio 5 Live’s daytime programming, overseeing some of the network’s highest-profile news and current affairs output.

Priya Dogra, Chief Executive, Channel 4, said: “Louisa’s appointment reflects the importance of journalism, audience trust and digital innovation to Channel 4’s future. Under her leadership, Channel 4 has become a destination for agenda-setting journalism and factual programming – and one of the UK’s most-trusted news brands. She brings to the Board deep expertise and a strong understanding of how viewers engage with high-quality content across broadcast, streaming and social platforms.”

Geoff Cooper, Chair of the Channel 4 Board, said: “Louisa’s appointment brings direct Board-level insight into areas that are central to Channel 4’s public service remit and future strategy. Her experience will be invaluable as we navigate a fast-evolving sector and ensure Channel 4 remains distinctive, trusted and relevant for audiences across the UK.

Compton said: “I’m honoured to join the Channel 4 Board at a pivotal moment for our industry and our organisation. As audiences navigate an increasingly complex information environment, trusted journalism and audience trust are not simply part of Channel 4’s future, they are central to it. I look forward to working with my fellow Board members to ensure Channel 4 continues to innovate and evolve while staying true to the fearless journalism, editorial integrity and public service values that make it distinctive, relevant and impactful for audiences across the UK.”

Channel 4 is governed by a unitary Board made up of Executive and Non-Executive Directors, who are responsible for ensuring that Channel 4 fulfils its remit and delivers its financial responsibilities. Non-Executive Directors are appointed by Ofcom in agreement with the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. The Chief Executive is appointed by the Board and other Executive Members are appointed after nomination by the Chief Executive and Chair jointly.

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For any press enquiries, please contact Amie Tsang: ATsang@channel4.co.uk/ 07725245107