Sinead Rocks has announced that she’s stepping down as Managing Director, Nations and Regions at Channel 4.
Rocks moved to Channel 4 in 2019 to lead its National headquarters in Leeds and deliver the broadcaster’s “All The UK Strategy.”
She was a key figure not just in the move to Leeds, but also opening new and expanded spaces in Glasgow, Manchester and Bristol.
“It’s hard to know when to leave a job you love but my time is now. I’m really proud of the part I’ve played in Channel 4’s transformation in recent years,” she said.
“I joined to lead what became the biggest structural change in Channel 4’s history — relocating the organisation’s centre of gravity out of London and into the nations and regions.
“We established a new HQ in Leeds, creative hubs in Glasgow and Bristol, and grew our presence in Manchester. Now hundreds of colleagues are based in these offices.
“We drove a step-change in investment, enabling us to better reflect the full diversity of all four nations.”
Speaking exclusively to the This Is MediaCity podcast last year, she also explained that one of her biggest achievements was the success of the 4Skills programme.
WATCH – Sinead Rocks on her career, Channel 4, MediaCity and plans to boost English regional commissioning in 2026
“[…] We created 4Skills to support and develop lasting careers across the UK, whilst tackling sector-wide skills gaps and nurturing a pipeline of talent — people who strengthen not just our own output but the UK’s creative industries as a whole,” she added today.
“It’s been a massive privilege to work with talented colleagues, producers and partners who share the belief that where you’re from shouldn’t limit what you can do.
“The past seven years wouldn’t have been nearly so enjoyable without the brilliant people on the teams I’ve managed — 4Skills, EPMO, Sustainability and more recently Policy and Public Affairs. I’m so proud of what you’ve achieved and will be cheering you on from the sidelines.
“Massive thanks to everyone who’s been part of my Channel 4 adventure. It’s been quite the ride!”
Before heading to Channel 4, Rocks spent almost 20 years at the BBC, where she played a major part in BBC Learning’s move to Salford. She held a number of roles including Director of Education and Head of BBC Learning.
“During her tenure, Sinead was the driving force behind ‘4 All the UK’ – the most ambitious structural transformation in Channel 4’s history – embedding the company more deeply across the Nations & Regions than ever before. Under her leadership, we opened our national HQ in Leeds and creative hubs in Glasgow and Bristol, supported the careers of more than 180,000 people through 4 Skills and built lasting partnerships with the independent production sector, screen agencies and stakeholders across the UK,” said Priya Dogra, CEO of Channel 4 in an internal note to staff.
“Sinead championed the creative and economic case for the Nations & Regions at every level to ensure that our expanded footprint translated into real opportunity. We are now more firmly rooted across the UK than ever before and that is in no small part down to Sinead and the brilliant teams that she has led.”
