UK public service broadcaster Channel 4 announced a structural reorganization of its commissioning leadership team on July 2, 2026, introducing three new director-level roles that report directly to Chief Executive Priya Dogra.
The administrative overhaul establishes a framework divided into three distinct content sectors, which will officially take effect when current Chief Content Officer Ian Katz vacates his position later this year after nearly nine years with the broadcaster.
New Director Appointments
Louisa Compton, who currently serves as the Head of News & Current Affairs, Specialist Factual & Sport, has been appointed as the Director of News, Digital and Audience Trust to oversee journalism, sports, and digital-first commissioning.
The broadcaster is currently recruiting for the second position, Director of Programmes, who will hold full editorial and commissioning ownership over all scripted and unscripted genres, including documentaries, entertainment, lifestyle, and factual entertainment.
Kiran Nataraja will transition from her current role as Director of Streaming & Content Strategy into the newly created position of Director of Content Strategy to manage content funding, delivery, acquisitions, and portfolio planning across channels.
According to Channel 4, the Director of News, Digital and Audience Trust and the Director of Programmes will maintain end-to-end editorial ownership of their respective portfolios, while the Director of Content Strategy will manage the commercial operations and efficiency of the commissioning system.
The executive adjustments aim to provide independent production partners with clearer commissioning priorities, accelerated decision-making processes, and an integrated development-to-delivery pipeline.
"Independent producers are at the heart of Channel 4, and this new model is about giving them greater clarity and building deeper partnerships in how we work together.
With incredibly strong creative leadership and clear accountability across our portfolios, we can back the best ideas with confidence and deliver distinctive programmes that cut through.
Both Louisa and Kiran are outstanding leaders and well respected for their craft, and I’m confident that they – alongside the Director of Programmes – will make sure Channel 4 programming remains as distinctive, as relevant and as rebellious as ever, wherever and however our audiences watch," said Priya Dogra, Channel 4 CEO.
The newly appointed directors expressed readiness to steer the broadcasting company through its operational transition under the revised leadership model.
"Trusted, fact-checked and duly impartial journalism has never mattered more.
Channel 4 has a unique role in telling stories others don’t, asking difficult questions and bringing new perspectives to audiences across the UK.
This new structure gives us the focus and agility to move faster, back ambitious ideas and create even greater impact across our amazing portfolio of content.
I am delighted to be working with the Digital team and to continue to work with the Specialist Factual and Sport teams," said Louisa Compton, Director of News, Digital and Audience Trust.
The strategy department will focus on optimizing the deployment and execution of newly commissioned broadcast content across all viewing platforms.
"In today’s market, success depends not just on great ideas, but on how effectively you deliver them.
This role is about connecting the entire system, so that from commissioning through to performance, we’re backing the right ideas in the right way and giving them the best chance to succeed," said Kiran Nataraja, Director of Content Strategy.
Outgoing Chief Content Officer Ian Katz is scheduled to formally depart from his position at Channel 4 in November 2026.
