Channel 4 CIO set to leave for new business

Channel 4's tech chief Ian Dobb is set to leave the broadcaster from June this year.

Dobb is succeeded by his direct report Kevin Gallagher - previously the broadcaster's head of applications delivery - now CIO in post.

"I've been at Channel 4 for 10 years. It's a long stint for any CIO and I was ready for a fresh challenge," Dobb said. "The recession was clearly hitting Channel 4, and with the budget reduced and perhaps the development opportunities reduced, it was an opportunity for me to step outside and start something afresh."

Dobb is to set up his own strategic consultancy company, ionico, with a fellow Channel 4 exec and former PricewaterhouseCoopers consultant, Marcus Page, the broadcaster's head of IS business development .

Dobb told silicon.com he's "surprisingly relaxed" about starting a new venture in the midst of a recession.

"I think it's even more important to get IT right now - the pressure's on most sectors at the moment, so it's crucial to be working on the right things, to be delivering it in the best way and to be doing it in a very cost efficient way," he said.

For a full interview with Dobb, check back with silicon.com tomorrow.