DAME Marjorie Scardino, chief executive of publisher Pearson, has emerged as a front-runner to replace Luke Johnson as chairman of troubled broadcaster Channel 4.
The deadline for applications to industry regulator Ofcom is tomorrow and speculation in the City is that C4 would ideally like to appoint a woman from a non-broadcasting background.
Ofcom has enlisted the help of the Zygos Partnership, the headhu
nters that brought Michael Grade to ITV, to find a successor to Johnson, who steps down in January. He was an outsider to the media sector, best known for his Pizza Express empire. It is thought a decision will be made next month.
Former solicitor Anthony Salz is also being linked with the position.
Claire Enders, founder of media and telecommunications consultancy Enders Analysis, said: "The gossip is that Dame Marjorie Scardino and Anthony Salz, who was a senior solicitor, are the two big names being looked at. There is also gossip that they are more interested in a female candidate. They want a change."
Pearson owns Penguin and the Financial Times group and Scardino is a heavyweight candidate who has generated respect in the City.
She was the FTSE100's first woman chief executive, and is now one of its longest-serving female bosses. Until January 1997, she was chief executive of the Economist Group, of which Pearson owns 50 per cent. Scardino is 62 and her maturity is being considered an advantage. Enders said: "Johnson is relatively young, he's 47, and it is thought they are looking for someone more seasoned, in their late fifties or early sixties."
However, there is speculation that Ofcom may be reluctant to appoint Scardino in case of a conflict of interest with Pearson and the fact that her role as chief executive is time-consuming.
Salz, was a senior partner at Freshfields, the legal firm at which he worked for more than 30 years, before he retired in 2006 at 55. He specialised in corporate law and has been described as "the finest legal brain in Britain". Sources said that his negotiating skills and political know-how would be attractive for C4.
He also has experience of the media sector as he was a vice-chairman of the BBC from 2004 to 2006. He holds a
number of directorships and was appointed to the Scott Trust, owner of Guardian Media Group, earlier this year. He is also executive vice chairman of investment bank NM Rothschild.
Enders said: "A lot of people are interested (in the C4 chairmanship] as it's a very prestigious job. There are a number of less credible candidates who are as keen as mustard."
C4 has faced a number of issues in recent times. Last month Andy Duncan confirmed he was stepping down from his chief executive role.
One of the first roles of the new chairman will be to fill his seat. Peter Fincham, director of television at ITV; Kevin Lygo, head of content at C4; Jana Bennett, director of BBC vision; current Ofcom chief Ed Richards; and his predecessor, Lord Carter have all been rumoured to be in the frame.
C4 is publicly owned, but commercially funded, and Duncan's five years in the role have been marked by a slump in advertising revenues and failed attempts to find a commercial partner.
Past C4 chairmen have included Sir Richard Attenborough, Sir Michael Bishop and Vanni Treves.
