Howling to leave Digital UK

Ilse Howling

Ilse Howling is stepping down as Digital UK’s managing director of connected TV, with chief operating officer Alex Pumfrey also to leave the UK digital-terrestrial TV organisation at the end of February.

Howling, the former managing director of DTT platform Freeview, joined Digital UK in 2014, to lead the development phase of Freeview Play, the platform’s new on-demand service.

Pumfrey played a role in establishing Digital UK as director of strategy and oversaw the UK’s digital switchover before taking up her current role.

Digital UK has meanwhile appointed James Jackson as technology director. Jackson was previously delivery director for connected TV at Digital UK, responsible for programme management of Freeview Play. He will now lead technical development of the new hybrid TV service, while also overseeing wider technical management of the DTT platform.

Prior to joining Digital UK in June 2015, he was head of distribution strategy for the BBC and has held a number of senior roles within the BBC’s distribution and technology teams.

Digital UK has also appointed Kate Macefield as programme director for 700MHz clearance, in charge of the key task of managing the move of Freeview channels to new frequencies to free up spectrum for mobile. She was previously broadcast director at Digital UK.

“‘I would like to express my huge appreciation of the contribution that Ilse and Alex have made to television and to the continuing evolution of Freeview as the UK’s most widely used service,” said Jonathan Thompson, managing director of Digital UK.

“I’m delighted to welcome Kate and James to their new roles. Their insight and practical experience will help ensure Freeview continues to evolve to meet the challenges and opportunities of an increasingly connected world, while also delivering further spectrum efficiencies in a smooth and timely manner.”