Louisa Compton has been promoted to replace Dorothy Byrne as Head of News and Current Affairs at Channel 4.
Earlier this month, Byrne announced she was stepping down from the position after 17 years to take up the new role of editor-at-large at Leeds-headquartered Channel 4.
Compton (above, left) has been Commissioning Editor for News and Current Affairs since 2018, having previously been Executive Editor of the Victoria Derbyshire show and Daytime Editor on 5 Live at the BBC.
In her new role, she will be responsible for overseeing Channel 4’s News and Current Affairs programming as well as overseeing sport, with Head of Sport Pete Andrews reporting into her.
During her time at the broadcaster, Compton has overseen Dispatches, with critically-acclaimed investigative films such as ‘Celebs for Sale: The Great Charity Scandal’, ‘Trump’s Plans for the NHS’, ‘Starbucks and Nespresso: The Truth About Your Coffee’ and ‘Growing Up Poor: Britain’s Breadline Kids’.
Last year she was responsible for coverage of the General Election and more recently has led the Current Affairs department’s response to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Compton, who takes up her role on May 1st, said: “I’m thrilled to be taking on this role at a time when News and Current Affairs has never been more important or relevant to people’s lives.
“Channel 4 has an unrivalled record of award-winning, agenda-setting journalism and I look forward to continuing that legacy and working with such talented journalists and film-makers who contribute to our output.
“Pete Andrews and the rest of the sport team do an amazing job and I’m delighted to continue to work with them on the channel’s sports coverage.”
Ian Katz, Director of Programmes, added: “Dorothy Byrne is a very hard act to follow but if anyone is equipped to it’s Louisa. She has a remarkable combination of news experience, eye for a story and creative flair that won her multiple awards as a programme editor and has helped her make Dispatches the hardest hitting current affairs programme in Britain.
“She will be a brilliant custodian of Channel 4’s proud tradition of in-depth reporting and investigation and will also oversee our award-winning sports coverage.”
