Grade makes media return

Michael Grade will take up the post in September

Former Channel 4 chief executive Michael Grade is taking a step towards returning to the television industry.

He will join the board of the Glasgow-based media company SMG as a non-executive director later this year.

However, Mr Grade will not play any direct part in deciding what is shown on the company's television stations, Scottish and Grampian.

SMG also holds a 25% stake in GMTV, as well as owning Virgin Radio and a 29% stake in Scottish Radio Holdings.

Chairman Don Cruickshank said: "Michael's track record in the media sector is well documented and I'm confident that his expertise and contribution to the future direction of SMG will be of great benefit to the company."

Mr Grade is currently non-executive chairman of National Lottery operator Camelot.

Ratings improvement

His media career included a period as controller of BBC1 in the 1980s, which saw the launch of EastEnders and an improvement in the channel's ratings.

In 1988 he became chief executive at Channel 4 Television, a post he held for eight years.

During that time he put the channel on a sound financial footing and oversaw a growth in its share of viewers - while also being dubbed the "pornographer-in-chief" by Daily Mail columnist Paul Johnson.

Michael's track record in the media sector is well documented Don Cruickshank SMG chairman

For the past six years he has been involved in other areas of business, having also held the positions of chairman and chief executive of First Leisure Corporation.

As a non-executive director of SMG, Mr Grade will not be deciding what is shown on its television channels.

However, he is joining the company at an interesting time for the ITV network.

Carlton and Granada want to merge and create one giant company for the whole of England and Wales.

SMG supports such a move - but many analysts believe Scottish and Grampian will eventually be sold to the new giant group.

Media regulator

Mr Grade is joining the company as part of a reshuffle which sees the departure of former Telewest chief Adam Singer and ex-Retail Stores boss Fiona Harrison, who has resigned on health grounds.

Mr Singer is stepping down to take up a post with the new media regulator Ofcom.

David Dunn, the chairman of industrial services group Brammer, is joining SMG as a non-executive director.

The new appointments will take effect on 1 September.