RTÉ appoints Adrian Lynch and Frances Abeton to executive board

RTÉ has promoted Adrian Lynch to the role of director of audience, channels and marketing and hired Frances Abeton as director of operations and production services. Both are newly created positions on RTÉ's executive board.

Mr Lynch first joined RTÉ in 2014 from independent production company Animo Television, taking up the job of controller of RTÉ One. He added RTÉ2 to his portfolio last year following the departure of Bill Malone to TV3 Group.

The role of director of audience, channels and marketing will be a powerful one in RTÉ following a management restructuring by director-general Dee Forbes.

“As RTÉ responds to changing audience consumption habits and production models, this new structure will drive collaboration, and enhance creativity while creating efficiencies to equip RTÉ for the challenges and opportunities to come,” Ms Forbes said.

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Ms Abeton was previously vice-president of clinical trials recruitment firm Firecrest, which is owned by pharmaceutical company Icon. RTÉ said she was a proven operational leader with a background in pharma, technology, telecoms and finance.

“I’m delighted to join Ireland’s national public service media at this important moment of evolution for the organisation,” Ms Abeton said. “I look forward to working with the operational teams across RTÉ.”

Old divisions

In the new regime, the roles of managing director of television, radio and digital have all been stood down, while RTÉ is expected to take further steps at breaking down the barriers between these old divisions.

Former managing director of radio Jim Jennings was in March appointed as director of content – another key role – while former managing director of digital Múirne Laffan has left RTÉ.

Mr Lynch, who last week oversaw the launch of RTÉ’s new season of programming, said he looked forward to working alongside Mr Jennings.

“Over the last few years my goal has been to consolidate and build on RTÉ One and RTÉ2’s market-leading positions, and to deliver compelling and distinctive content to the Irish public.”

RTÉ's nine-strong executive board, not to be confused with the governing authority known as the RTÉ Board, is completed by director of news and current affairs Jon Williams, chief financial officer Breda O'Keeffe, commercial director Willie O'Reilly, director of corporate affairs Brian Dalton, director of human resources Eimear Cusack and director of transformation and technology Richard Waghorn.

A voluntary redundancy scheme will be launched shortly.