Virgin Media’s digital entertainment head steps down

Cindy Rose

Virgin Media’s executive director of digital entertainment, Cindy Rose, is stepping down from the company following its recent buyout by Liberty Global.

Rose, who joined the company in 2009, is thought to be mulling over opportunities elsewhere, including in the wider Liberty Global organisation, though has decided to take time off to spend with her family for the time being.

“Cindy’s taking this opportunity to take a well deserved break. Since she joined four years ago she’s led the introduction of TiVo and overseen an outstanding period in which Virgin Media’s pay TV business has added customers at a faster rate than either Sky or BT,” said a Virgin Media spokesperson.

No one has been lined up to replace Rose, though Virgin Media’s director of broadband Jon James will take on her responsibilities on an interim basis.

Separately, Virgin Media has brought in longstanding Liberty Global executive Stephane David as executive director of content.

David has worked as Liberty Global’s vice president of programming since 2005 and has 18 years experience in the pay-TV industry. He previously served as COO and CEO of Canal+ Benelux.

At the beginning of June, Liberty Global appointed the managing director of UPC Ireland, Dana Strong, as the next chief operating officer of Virgin Media. This followed the hire of UPC Netherlands MD, Robert Dunn, as Virgin Media’s next chief finance officer, and former News International chief executive Tom Mockridge as Virgin’s new CEO.