Following a rigorous recruitment process overseen by its Board, RTÉ has today appointed Dee Forbes as Director-General.
Forbes, who will leave her current role as President & Managing Director of Discovery Networks Northern Europe, replaces the outgoing Noel Curran, who is set to exit the broadcaster at the end of the month.
Forbes is the first Director General in almost 50 years to be appointed externally by RTÉ and she is also the first female to hold the role.
Having joined Discovery in 2010 as Head of the UK/Ireland operation, Forbes progressively grew her responsibilities to eventually lead the Northern Europe region, which also includes Benelux and the Nordic countries, and has a wide mix of channels, both free-to-air and subscription.
Moya Doherty, Chair of the Board, RTÉ, said: “RTÉ is at a pivotal moment, one where the future shape and financing of public service broadcasting is being re-imagined. I am delighted to have someone with such a breadth of industry experience, such a creative and visionary understanding of the global broadcasting market, and a proven management record.”
Dee Forbes said: “Although it was a tough professional decision to leave Discovery, the personal decision to return to Ireland and lead its biggest broadcaster, RTÉ, is an opportunity of a lifetime."
Before joining Discovery, Dee Forbes led Turner Broadcasting’s business in the UK and Ireland, which consisted of seven entertainment channels, including Cartoon Network, Boomerang and TCM. She spent several years working at Turner in a variety of commercial roles including General Manager for the Nordic/Central and Eastern Europe and EMA regions and Head of Advertising Sales for Europe.
This appointment is subject to the Government’s consent under Section 89 of the Broadcasting Act 2009.
