Channel 4 chief Alex Mahon to run entertainment group Superstruct
Alex Mahon has been named the new chief executive of Superstruct Entertainment – the live events giant behind festival like Boardmasters – just days after announcing her departure from Channel 4.
Mahon steps into the role following an eight-year tenure at the state-owned broadcaster, bringing her leadership experience to aq compant that runs over 80 festivals across Europe and Australia.
Her appointment, expected to be officially confirmed this week, marks a significant move into the live entertainment sector.
It also comes with the prospect of a more lucrative compensation package, reported Sky News.
This follows the announcement of Mahon stepping down as chief executive (CEO) of Channel 4 this summer after eight years leading the UK broadcaster, which the company announced on Monday.
Mahon, who became Channel 4′s first female CEO in 2017, helped steer the publicly owned, commercially funded broadcaster through two government attempts at privatisation and a major shift towards digital streaming.
“We try our best to challenge convention and to change conversations. And we do it with a kind of irreverent brilliance that simply doesn’t exist anywhere else”, she said.
Her departure comes as Channel 4 faces mounting challenges, including a slump in traditional television viewership among young audiences, and a sharp decline in advertising revenue.
The broadcaster reported a £52m pre-tax deficit last year, its first in four years, following a 10 per cent drop in annual revenues to just over £1bn.
During her tenure, Mahon oversaw a major digital transformation strategy, expanded Channel 4’s regional footprint, and championed workplace reforms, including new pregnancy loss policies.
She also led the broadcaster through the pandemic, an advertising downturn, and intensifying competition from global streaming platforms.
Channel 4 said Mahon leaves the broadcaster in “excellent health”, with a strong management team in place to implement its ‘fast forward’ strategy, aimed at future-proofing the organisation.
Both Mahon and interim chair Dawn Airey praised Channel 4’s resilience and creative leadership during Mahon’s time at the helm.
“Through every twist and turn, there’s been one constant: the astonishing calibre, resilience, and creativity of all my colleagues at Channel 4”, said the now-former CEO.