Turness appointed ITN CEO
March 9, 2021
Deborah Turness is joining ITN as its Chief Executive Officer, and departing NBC News International where she is currently president.
Prior to joining NBC News, she was editor of ITV News where she was the UK’s first female editor of a network news operation and the youngest ever editor of ITV News. Turner also previously worked for ITN as a freelancer while on a post-graduate journalism course in France, and was ITN’s Washington Bureau producer during the Clinton White House years and spent time in Bosnia during the Balkans War.
Turness replaces Anna Mallett who joined as CEO in 2019 from BBC Studios, and is now set to join Netflix as VP Physical Production for the UK and local language production across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Latin America and Asia Pacific.
Turness commented: “ITN was my home for most of my career, so I feel privileged and proud to be returning as CEO. ITN’s role in public life has never been more critical, with the pandemic demonstrating why its reputation for quality, trusted news content is second to none. I’m excited to capture the growth in streaming platforms who are hungry for ITN’s high-quality factual content, as well as creative expertise across sports, virtual events and advertising. At a moment of so much change, challenge and opportunity, I look forward to leading a brand I believe in, and a talented team of people, whose values are so dear to my heart.”
Kyla Mullins, Chair of the ITN Board, said: “Deborah has impeccable credentials as a strategic leader, with journalistic nous and a keen business mind. She will bring huge passion, energy and knowledge to the company and I know she is very excited to be returning and cannot wait to get started. With her deep knowledge of and enthusiasm for ITN I’m confident she will be a huge success in this role.”
Turness will take up her new role on April 19th. Mallett will leave ITN to join Netflix on April 16th.