Vic Wakeling, managing director of sport and news at leading UK pay-broadcaster BSkyB, will retire at the end of June.
Wakeling will be replaced on the sports side of the business by Sky Sports executive producer Barney Francis. Sophie Turner-Laing will take over responsibility for Sky News.
Wakeling has been at BSkyB for over 20 years, 15 of which as head of Sky Sports, a period in which the company led the boom in quality and value of sport on television in the UK. During his tenure, Sky Sports grew from a single channel to a network of five sports channels and three HD channels.
In a press release, BSkyB’s chief executive Jeremy Darroch said, “He has brought a wealth of new coverage to viewers, led a healthy investment in British sport and helped to change the way we view our favourite sports. We owe him a debt of gratitude and he will leave Sky as a valued colleague and friend.”
