Tory cronyism claims as ex-B&Q boss Sir Ian Cheshire named new Channel 4 chair

Sir Ian Cheshire was knighted by David Cameron in 2014 – leading Shadow Culture Secretary Lucy Powell to say the decision “stinks”

Former B&Q boss Sir Ian Cheshire was last night appointed as the new chair of Channel 4 and will take up his new post a week on Monday.

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries approved the move saying: “Sir Ian has an impressive record at the helm of some of Britain’s biggest businesses.”

But Labour criticised the appointment of Sir Ian, knighted by former PM David Cameron in 2014, of Tory cronyism after ex-TV boss and Conservative peer Lord Grade was handed the top job on industry regulator Ofcom.

Shadow Culture Secretary Lucy Powell said: “Coming fresh off the heels of the appointment of a Tory peer as head of Ofcom this decision stinks.”

She added: “Rather than advancing their war on Channel 4 the Tories should focus on independent appointees who can do the job.”

Sir Ian has also served as chair of Barclays UK, the British Retail Consortium, and Debenhams and was Kingfisher CEO from 2008 to 2015. He is now chair of private health care company Spire.

Sir Ian said: “I am excited to be joining Channel 4 at this vitally important time for public service broadcasting.”