Grade joins Ant and Dec agency as chairman

Michael Grade has been appointed non executive chairman of talent agency James Grant Group (JGG), which looks after TV personalities including Ant and Dec.

Mr Grade left his role as executive chairman of ITV last year and joins the media, music and sports agency as non executive chairman with immediate effect, with a mandate to help grow the business.

Chief executive Neil Rodford called it a "key appointment" for JGG, adding: "He has worked very successfully in creative and talent-driven businesses for over 30 years, and will add the additional depth and business experience we seek to expand both the management and professional services elements of our business."

Peter Powell, a former Radio 1 DJ who co-founded JGG, praised Mr Grade's "pragmatism, people management skills, reputation and business network2.

Mr Grade, who started his career in entertainment as a theatrical agent in the Grade Organisation with his father, said: "This is a company with a fine reputation and, unusually, a diversified group of successful businesses. My job is to help the company to realise its ambitions for growth."

He was controller of BBC1 between 1984 and 1987, before taking the role of chief executive at Channel 4 the following year, holding the role for just under a decade. Mr Grade joined the BBC's board of governors in 2004, leaving for ITV three year later.

After announcing his decision to step down from ITV, the group split the executive chairman role, appointing Archie Norman as chairman and Adam Crozier chief executive.