Alex Mahon

Alex Mahon
Born (1973-10-29) 29 October 1973 (age 51)
London, England
EducationSt Margaret's School, Edinburgh
Alma materImperial College London
OccupationBusinesswoman
TitleChief Executive, Channel 4
TermOctober 2017 - present
PredecessorDavid Abraham
SpouseRichard Barker
Children4

Alexandra Rose Mahon (born 29 October 1973) is a British businesswoman. She has been the chief executive of Channel 4 since October 2017, succeeding David Abraham as the first female CEO of the channel.[1][2][3]

Early life and education

Alexandra Rose Mahon was born on 29 October 1973[4] in London.[1] Aged five, she moved to Edinburgh, and grew up there with her mother and stepfather.[5] She was educated at James Gillespie's High School and St Margaret's School, Edinburgh.[4][5]

She has a PhD in medical physics from Imperial College London, awarded in 1998.[5][6][7] She spent a year working at CERN.[4]

Career

Mahon began her career as a technology consultant with Mitchell Madison Group. In 2002, she joined Fremantle as director of commercial development.[5][4]

In 2005, when working for Talkback Thames, Management Today included Mahon in their top 35 women under 35 in the business world.[8]

Mahon was CEO of the production company Shine Group, owned by 21st Century Fox, and then CEO of the visual effects software company Foundry.[2][6]

She has worked with the UK's Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), as a member of their advisory panel on the BBC's future direction.[2]

Mahon's appointment as CEO of Channel 4 was announced in June 2017 and became effective the following October.[1][3]

Personal life

Mahon is married to Richard Barker, who works in renewable energy; the couple have four children.[9] The family live in Paddington, London.[10]

References

  1. ^ a b c Sweney, Mark (5 June 2017). "Channel 4 confirms Alex Mahon as chief executive". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "Alex Mahon named as new Channel 4 chief executive". BBC News. 14 March 2017. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  3. ^ a b "Discover our Board". Channel 4. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  4. ^ a b c d Nimmo, Jamie (10 January 2021). "Alex Mahon interview: 'I won't let Channel 4 go the way of Kodak'". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d Dorsey, Kristy (10 October 2016). "Monday interview: Alex Mahon, chief executive of The Foundry". The Scotsman. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  6. ^ a b Williams, Christopher (5 June 2017). "Channel 4 appoints Foundry boss Alex Mahon as chief executive". The Telegraph. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  7. ^ Mahon, Alexandra Rose (1998). Ultraviolet absorption detection of DNA in gels (Ph.D). Imperial College London.
  8. ^ Moorhead, Joanna (26 June 2005). "The faces of the future | Business". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  9. ^ "Beautiful Kitchens - Special Report" (PDF). hollowaysbuild.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 August 2017.
  10. ^ Mahon, Alex (7 July 2016). "Secrets of my success: Alex Mahon, chief executive, The Foundry". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
Media offices
Preceded by Chief Executive
of Channel 4
2017–present 		Succeeded by
Incumbent