Outgoing Digital UK CEO receives knighthood

David Scott, the outgoing CEO of Digital UK – the non-profit organisation formed to help consumers covert to digital TV – has been awarded a knighthood for “services to digital switchover.”

The knighthood was bestowed in the Queen’s Birthday Honours and follows the Digital UK-led the implementation of digital TV switchover from 2008-2012.

Scott said: “I am honoured to receive this recognition. It has been a real privilege to lead the wonderful team at Digital UK and I am delighted that we were successful in our aim of ensuring everyone can access the benefits of digital television.”

Prior to taking the Digital UK CEO role in 2008, Scott worked at Channel 4 for more than 25 years and held a number of roles, including of director of finance, managing director, and acting chief executive – for which he was awarded a CBE for services to broadcasting in 2006.

He announced in May that he is stepping down from Digital UK in the summer, with former director of strategy for Ofcom and Channel 4, Jonathan Thompson, named earlier this month as his successor.

Thompson will help to oversee Digital UK’s shift to leading developments on the Freeview platform, taking responsibility for strategy and policy, as well as handling the day-to-day technical management of the electronic programme guide.