Michael Jermey, who has had a major impact on ITV’s regional news provision, is to leave the broadcaster to Chair the Disasters Emergency Committee charity.
During his 16 years as ITV Director of News and Current Affairs, he oversaw 5 UK General Elections, 7 Prime Ministers, 3 US presidencies, the Scottish Independence and EU referendums, the Covid pandemic, Brexit, the death of Queen Elizabeth and the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.
He also secured the first leaders’ debate at the 2010 general election for ITV and oversaw the editorial refresh of News at Ten. In 2022, he created the hour-long Evening News and oversaw the launch of news services on ITVX and digital platforms.
The Exposure documentary strand, which he launched, first broke the story of Jimmy Savile’s crimes, and went on to expose major international human rights abuses by a number of authoritarian regimes.
Regionally, he is behind the modernisation of the broadcaster’s provision of local news, including he opening of digital centres around the UK.
“ITV plays a vital part in national life. It’s an honour to have spent most of my career in public service broadcasting at ITV News,” he said.
Every day the people of ITV News and Programmes produce television and digital output that serves a strong public purpose and which audiences value. I will continue to cheer on the team as a committed viewer.
“I am greatly looking forward to chairing the DEC, which in partnership with the UK’s leading broadcasters, does so much to help people in times of crisis around the world”.
He will remain with ITV until the end of the year to help with the handover to his successor – the role is set to be advertised in the next few days.
“Michael has been an exceptional leader of our News teams. In many forums from Westminster and Whitehall to every region in the UK, he has been a strong advocate for ITV’s journalism and our contribution to society and democracy,” added CEO, Carolyn McCall.
“He has twice been the key editorial leader on the once-a-decade renewals of ITV’s public service broadcasting licences. High quality, accessible and trusted news, with people at the heart of the coverage, has the prominence and trust it deserves in our business and amongst millions of viewers , in large part thanks to Michael who has built a fantastic team of journalists.”
