Carolyn McCall

Dame Carolyn McCall, DBE, serves as chief executive officer of ITV, the UK's media conglomerate. She leads a comprehensive review of the company's strategy to address the evolving media landscape. She was awarded Variety's International Media Woman of the Year in 2023.

McCall introduced a vision titled "More than TV," aimed at leveraging ITV's creative and commercial assets to generate revenue from advertisers, broadcasters and platforms, and consumers. She initiated investments in the ITV brand, data, digital, and subscription capabilities, and further developed ITV's creative and commercial strengths. Under McCall's leadership, ITV advanced its digital transformation, including the launch of the integrated streaming service ITVX, which enhanced the company's direct-to-consumer offerings and positioned ITV as a diversified media and entertainment business.

Before joining ITV, McCall was chief executive officer of easyJet, a major European short-haul airline. During her tenure, she oversaw significant improvements in the airline's financial performance and influenced public expectations for value and service in European short-haul travel. McCall also led an initiative to increase the number of female pilots, launching the Amy Johnson Flying Initiative to attract more women to aviation careers. This effort resulted in a notable increase in female pilot recruitment at easyJet.

McCall began her career at The Guardian, advancing through commercial roles and contributing to the launch of Wired magazine in the United Kingdom. She played a key role in integrating the commercial teams following The Guardian's acquisition of the Observer and led the development of The Guardian's website. McCall was later appointed chief executive officer of Guardian News and Media, overseeing The Guardian, the Regional newspaper Group, Autotrader, and The Radio Division. She was instrumental in the launch of the Berliner format for The Guardian.

McCall has received several honors, including an OBE for services to women in business and the Légion d’honneur for her contributions to the economies of France and the United Kingdom and her support of women in aviation. She was also awarded a Damehood for services to the aviation industry.