Curran named as RTÉ chief

NOEL CURRAN has been named as RTÉ’s next director general, a post which he will formally take up in February.

The national broadcaster has been looking to fill the role since July, when it was announced that its current chief, Cathal Goan, would be stepping down after seven years at the helm.

RTÉ chairman Tom Savage said the appointment followed “an exceptionally intensive and exhaustive” international recruitment process and that Mr Curran “has the editorial acumen, the cultural assurance and the business flair to lead RTÉ into a new era of public service.”

For his part, Mr Curran said yesterday he was “absolutely delighted” with his appointment, saying “RTÉ has a unique role and a unique responsibility in Irish life.

“It also has a unique relationship with its audience. Whatever challenges lie ahead, I hope to see that bond strengthened,” he added.

Despite the international reach of the broadcaster’s search for a new head, it has ultimately found its new leader very close to home.

Former Head of Television at Montrose, Mr Curran first joined the broadcaster in 1992, initially working as a reporter, producer and editor in the television department.

Prior to leaving to pursue private business interests in March of this year, he served two terms as the broadcaster’s current affairs editor (establishing the Prime Time Investigates programme during that time) and became the longest-serving managing director of RTÉ Television.