Channel 4 confirms Leeds as its new national HQ

The relocation of the broadcaster’s HQ is the biggest change to the Channel 4’s structure in its 35-year history. It follows the BBC’s move to Salford, Greater Manchester, which started in 2011 and aimed to help the publicly funded TV, radio and online broadcaster get closer to its audiences.Explaining its decision, Channel 4 said that locating the National HQ in Leeds will enable it to capitalise on a strong and fast-growing independent production sector across the North of England. It will also “unlock potential growth in the currently underserved East and North-East of England regions,” linking the move to the government’s regional policy set out in the Industrial Strategy and efforts to rebalance the UK’s economy.

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Collaborating across the Northern Powerhouse

Explaining its decision, Channel 4 said that Leeds is a well-positioned for collaboration for creative talent across other cities including Bradford, Hull, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham and Sheffield.Leeds is already home to a thriving digital industry and a strong digital talent pool, which will help support Channel 4’s new Digital Creative Unit. This will be established in the National HQ to grow the Corporation’s impact across digital and social media platforms.Leeds also demonstrated a passionate commitment “to work with Channel 4 to bring diverse new talent into the industry, working in partnership with other organisations and educational establishments – and through harnessing the diversity of different communities across the wider West Yorkshire region, such as Bradford.”

Which Channel 4 jobs are relocating to Leeds?

The new National HQ and Creative Hubs in Bristol and Glasgow will be home to 300 Channel 4 jobs, including key creative decision makers responsible for commissioning Channel 4 content and programmes from producers across the UK. The new bases support the new plan "4 All the UK" to ensure Channel 4 better represents all the UK, on and off-screen.Following discussions between Channel 4 and ITN, a major new Channel 4 News hub will also be established in Leeds, giving the broadcaster the capability to regularly co-anchor the programme.

Relocating to support diversity and inclusion

Alex Mahon, Channel 4’s chief executive, said: “Diversity and inclusion have always been at the heart of Channel 4’s mission and the launch of our 4 All the UK plan is the biggest and most exciting change in the organisation’s 36-year history – as we open up Channel 4 to people from across the UK and supercharge the impact we have in all parts of the country.“Leeds put forward a compelling and ambitious strategy for how they could work alongside Channel 4 to further build the strong independent production sector in the city and develop new diverse talent from across the region."“Locating our National HQ in Leeds enables us to capitalise on a strong and fast-growing independent production sector in cities across the North of England – and also has the potential to unlock growth in the North East and East of the country, an area without a major presence from other national broadcasters."Head to the UK section for more news and insight. 

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