EasyJet boss Carolyn McCall named new ITV CEO

Carolyn McCall has been named as the new chief executive officer (CEO) of ITV, replacing current boss Adam Crozier from January 2018.

Ms McCall has most recently been CEO of budget airline EasyJet, having taken on the role in 2010. Previously, she was chief executive of the Guardian Media Group, during which time she was said to be one of the media giant's 'toughest operators'.

Her first few months at EasyJet saw Ms McCall navigate the company through a series of challenges, including the disruption caused by 2010's Icelandic volcanic ash cloud and air traffic controller strikes. Meanwhile, passenger numbers have almost doubled during her time with the airline.

She will bring this experience with her as she returns to a media-based career at ITV, where she will be tasked with reducing the channel's proportion of revenue from advertising sales further, as it continues on a cost-cutting drive fuelled by Brexit and growing competition from digital services such as Netflix.

In a statement, Ms McCall said: "After seven years, the opportunity from ITV felt like the right one to take. It is a fantastic company in a dynamic and stimulating sector."