Tom Mockridge, the former News International chief executive who left at the end of December, has been announced as chief executive of Virgin Media.
The position could put him at odds with the Murdoch owned BskyB: a rival to Virgin Media.
Mockridge said to the FT: “Thanks to the incredible energy of its employees and the loyalty of its customers, Virgin Media has become the UK’s leading broadband communications company and has developed an immensely powerful media brand. I keenly anticipate joining the team as it continues to deliver the cutting-edge TV and broadband products and services that excite and inspire its customers across the UK.”
Mockridge previously worked as chief executive of Sky Italia, from its founding in 2003 until his promotion in 2011, when he took over from Brooks.
Before joining Sky Italia, Mockridge held various roles at Star Group Limited and was previously CEO of Foxtel, News Corporation’s Pay-TV joint venture with Telstra.