Jeff Ford to return to Five

Jeff Ford

• Increase image
• View all images

Channel 4 director of acquisitions Jeff Ford is moving to Five to run its digital channels, Fiver and Five US, and head up acquisitions.

Ford, who also runs Film 4, will start his new role as managing director of digital channels and acquisitions in early 2009. He previously worked at Five as the channel's managing editor before joining C4 in 2005.

Ford will oversee Fiver and Five US, previously headed up by Hannah Barnes. Her role in the new structure is unclear but she will report to Ford. Barnes joined Five from Sky in April 2007.

Ford will report directly to Dawn Airey, Five's new chair and chief executive, who finalised his appointment. He will take up a position on the Five executive board.

Ford said: "I'm proud to return to Five to further build on its reputation for the best of US shows, enhance the digital channels and help Dawn create, develop and implement a future strategy for the company as we approach digital switchover."

Airey added: "He is undoubtedly one of the best acquisitions executives in the world and he will make a significant contribution to the revitalisation and success of Five."

Ford has bought some of the most successful shows on British TV during his career. Between 1997 and 2005 he acquired the CSI strand, Law and Order and Home and Away for Five.

At C4, he was responsible for some of the channel's high profile US dramas such as Ugly Betty and Desperate Housewives as well as comedies such as My Name is Earl.

In his original spell at Five he was made managing editor in 2003 and also oversaw the channel's drama commissioning and deputised for the director of programmes.