He will join the Board of Johnston Press with effect from 3 May 2011, while Stuart leaves the Board on 15 March 2011.
Murray, aged 46, has significant experience in senior financial roles within the media sector, including at Guardian Media Group plc, Channel 5 Broadcasting, and United Business Media plc.
As Finance Director of UBM’s Broadcasting and Entertainment Division from 1999 to 2001 he was involved in the proposed merger with Carlton, managed the sale of UBM’s TV businesses to Granada, and was responsible for overseeing UBM’s investment in Channel Five.
In 2001, Murray joined Channel 5 Broadcasting as Chief Financial Officer, where he drove strategic focus on and around the core broadcasting business and had a leading role in all commercial negotiations. During this period he negotiated a refinancing of the channel, secured substantial reductions in broadcast licence payments to the regulator, and was responsible for the financial and technical aspects of the launch of the company’s two new digital channels and the project to digitise the business’ media content.
In 2010 Murray joined Guardian Media Group Plc as Interim Group Chief Financial Officer, gaining valuable experience and insight into the newspaper publishing business.
Murray’s early career was at Arthur Andersen & Co where he qualified as a Chartered Accountant and specialised in corporate and international tax, before joining The Rank Group plc where he spent 10 years, in a variety of roles including Group Tax Manager, Vice President of Rank’s US-based Film and Entertainment Division, and Director of Financial Control of its Leisure Division. He has an MBA and BSc degree from the University of Edinburgh.
Commenting on the appointment John Fry, Chief Executive Officer, said: “The Board is confident that Grant will prove to be a worthy successor to Stuart. His impressive credentials with substantial senior financial experience within the media sector will serve us well in the future”.
