Liberty Global has said that the former head of News International will become CEO of Virgin Media on completion of its US$23.3bn takeover of the cableco.
Tom Mockridge will lead the company providing shareholders of Liberty and Virgin vote in favour of…
Liberty Global has said that the former head of News International will become CEO of Virgin Media on completion of its US$23.3bn takeover of the cableco.
Tom Mockridge will lead the company providing shareholders of Liberty and Virgin vote in favour of the transaction at respective EGMs in early June. The deal has received all other necessary approvals.
Mockridge is scheduled to succeed Neil Berkett who will remain in the post until the deal closes, expected to be soon after the shareholder meetings. Berkett previously said he would retire once the takeover completed.
Mockridge has held different roles at Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp over more than two decades. BSkyB, in which Murdoch’s News Corp holds a 39% stake, is Virgin Media’s biggest rival.
Mike Fries, president and CEO of Liberty Global, said: “Tom will bring to Virgin Media a breadth of experience in the pay-TV industry, both in the UK and throughout Europe. I have known and worked with Tom for nearly 15 years and have always admired his leadership and operating success in a number of highly competitive media markets.”
