Green blocked for top ITV job

MEDIA group Granada today said it had agreed to shareholder requests to block Michael Green's appointment as chairman of an enlarged ITV.

Granada said the interests of investors would be best served by the appointment of a new chairman from outside Granada and Carlton.

The move by Granada, which holds the majority stake in the merged group, comes after shareholders set a deadline of midday today for the removal of Green, who has been chairman of Carlton for 20 years.

The decision by the Granada board, made at a meeting last night, goes against an earlier move by Carlton to back Green's appointment. There was no immediate response from Carlton or Green today.

In a statement, Granada said it was determined that ITV plc should go forward with the full support of its shareholders.

It added: 'Moreover, Granada is concerned that the present uncertainty should be removed as swiftly as possible.'

Institutions holding as much as 50% of Carlton's shares are thought to have supported calls for Green to go. Previous plans would have see him become chairman and Granada counterpart Charles Allen chief executive.