ITV eyes Easyjet boss for CEO role

ITV could poach EasyJet's chief executive Carolyn McCall to replace its departed boss, according to City rumours that emerged overnight.

McCall is understood to have been interviewed for the role and is apparently considered to be one of the strongest candidates on the broadcaster’s shortlist to succeed Adam Crozier, who left at the end of June after seven years.

ITV is expected to announce an appointment before its interim results later this month.

The FTSE 100 broadcaster has been seeking to “persuade” McCall to take the role, the Guardian reported, as the industry faces tough TV advertising conditions.

“The board has a well developed succession plan in place and is in the process of finding a successor,” said a spokesman for ITV.

The Guardian said other executives on the ITV shortlist included Direct Line boss Paul Geddes and Rob Woodward, CEO at ITV's Scottish franchise holder STV.

Prior to joining Easyjet in July 2010, McCall was CEO of Guardian Media Group, owner of the Guardian and Observer newspapers, and was also held non-executive director roles at Lloyds TSB from 2008–2009 and Tesco from 2005-2008, and of New Look 1999-2005.

Last year, McCall was made a Dame as part of the UK New Year’s hnour list and later in the year was awarded France's Légion d'honneur.

Easyjet also on Thursday reported an 11.3% increase in the number of passengers it carried in June.