UTV Media appointed Richard Huntingford as chairman with immediate effect yesterday.

Mr Huntingford has more than 25 years of experience in the media industry and was previously chief executive of Chrysalis and executive chairman of Virgin Radio.

He also worked as a non-executive director at KPMG for 12 years.

Mr Huntingford is chairman at Boomerang Plus and Creston and a non-executive director at Crown Place VCT. He is also chairman of Prince’s Trust Trading, the commercial and events arm of British charity the Prince’s Trust, and a governor of Radley College public school in England.

UTV interim chairwoman Helen Kirkpatrick said Mr Huntingford’s extensive experience made him an excellent choice to lead the board.

Following yesterday’s announcement, Mr Huntingford said he was looking forward to working with the UTV board and chief executive John McCann in delivering continued long-term value for the company’s shareholders.