Television merger partners Carlton and Granada confirmed today that Carlton board member and former Lloyds TSB head Mr Brian Pitman will act as interim chairman of the combined firm, ITV Plc.
The companies said Granada board member Mr George Russell will serve as interim deputy chairman.
A "board in waiting" will consist of three board members from each company, in addition to Granada chief executive Mr Charles Allen and finance director Mr Henry Staunton, who will serve the same roles at ITV.
The companies said they will hire a recruitment specialist to search for a permanent non-executive chairman, with a goal of having a chairman in place by the time the merger is complete early next year.