BSkyB looks to hire Dixons finance chief

James Darroch, the finance director of Dixons, is set to leave the electrical retailer to take up the same post at the satellite broadcaster BSkyB.

James Darroch, the finance director of Dixons, is set to leave the electrical retailer to take up the same post at the satellite broadcaster BSkyB.

BSkyB has been hunting for a new finance chief since Martin Stewart announced his intention to leave the company in February, three months after James Murdoch beat him to the top job at the broadcaster.

Mr Darroch has yet to accept the offer of the job at BSkyB formally, but his appointment would be welcomed by the City. He has already worked closely with BSkyB on its agreement to retail satellite subscription boxes through Dixons' high street stores.

Dixons stores are likely to play a similar role as BSkyB rolls out its new "free-to-air" satellite TV deal.

Both BSkyB and Dixons declined to comment last night. However, Dixons is likely to update investors today when it unveils full-year results.

Mr Stewart has said he would leave BSkyB "to pursue other interests" by August or if a replacement was found sooner. He had been seen as a close ally of BSkyB's former chief executive Tony Ball.

James Murdoch, the son of BSkyB's chairman Rupert, was named as chief executive to replace Mr Ball last November after a search headed by the broadcaster's senior non-executive director, Lord St John of Fawsley.

The company announced a six-month review of its board structure, and promised to strengthen the number of non-executives, in response to investor unease about the appointment.