Channel 4 is to prioritise out-of-London recruitment and double its footprint in Manchester as it ramps up its nations and regions strategy.
To deliver its target of 600 roles outside the capital, outlined in its ‘Fast Forward’ strategy, the broadcaster will now advertise all jobs actively across its Leeds, Manchester, Bristol and Glasgow offices.
London-based staff will be offered new relocation and financial support packages if they wish to transfer to one of the regional locations.
It comes as it promotes Leeds-based lifestyle head Jo Street to the new role of director of commissioning for the nations and regions, part of a package of measures to grow its out-of-London strategy that also includes a doubling of its 4Skills budget and the launch of a £6m career progression scheme.
4Skills is also implementing an assistant commissioning editor programme in the broadcaster’s regional hubs which to nurture the next generation of commissioners.
By next summer, C4 plans to move from its current Manchester office on King Street to a larger 100-desk space in Manchester’s newest development, No.1 St Michael’s [pictured].
C4 will occupy around 13,000 square feet, taking up half of the eighth floor of the building, which is being developed by Relentless Development, the property company run by footballer Gary Neville.
“This is a really special moment for Channel 4 as we continue our significant momentum to grow our presence across the UK,” said chief executive Alex Mahon.
“Channel 4 has always led the way in representation and now we are going even further, strengthening our Nations and Regions commitment and offering our people the opportunity to relocate out of London and making all new roles available at any of our regional locations.”
Ofcom this week maintained C4's raises C4's nations quota from 9% to 12% of spend and production hours from 1 January 2030, with the broadcaster pledging to hit this target two years earlier.
Pact, which had been willing to concede to this increase if it was implemented from 2027, branded the decision "short-sighted".
National bodies have also expressed their outrage. Northern Ireland Screen, which had been pushing for a 16% quota, said it was a "truly awful decision" that treated Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as a "backwater", while Welsh trade body TAC said Ofcom showed a "remarkable lack of ambition" and Screen Scotland said the decision was "extremely disappointing".
