Management Profile: John Cresswell

Chief Executive Officer

John Cresswell was appointed CEO of Arqiva in January 2011 having spent much of his career within ITV, the UK's leading commercial television broadcaster. His successful track record of using business culture to drive creative innovation and commercial success will maximise Arqiva’s growth opportunities in the fast developing world of digital communications.

John was appointed Finance Director to the ITV plc Board in January 2006 and then took on the role of Interim CEO from August 2006 to January 2007 when he was appointed Chief Operating Officer, also retaining the role of Finance Director until October 2008.

He took the reins again in January 2010 as Interim CEO until he left ITV in April 2010, having led the organisation through some of its most challenging periods.

From 2000 John had spent five years with Granada as Chief Operating Officer of Granada Content, building the production and distribution division of ITV plc. Prior to that, he held senior posts at United Broadcasting & Entertainment, Meridian and TVS, having first qualified as a chartered accountant with KPMG.

His wider interests resulted in membership of Business in the Community’s Workplace Leadership Forum and Talent & Skills Leadership Team for three years from 2007. He was a director of the Ambassador Theatre Group for two years from 2004 and of The Liverpool Football Club & Athletic Grounds plc for four years from 2003.

John Cresswell graduated from the University of Keele in 1983 with a BSc in Economics and Politics, and is a member of the Institute of Accountants of England and Wales. He is a fellow of the Royal Television Society and an Honorary Life Vice President of Liverpool Football Club.