Former senior Sky and ITV executive Michael Wilson is the new chief Executive Officer of Isle of Media Limited, it was announced today (Friday).

Mr Wilson, 48, was until recently the managing director of Northern Ireland based ITV division, UTV.

Isle of Media markets the Isle of Man digital media cluster as a private public partnership and acts as the national development agency for the island’s video, television and film sector.

Dr Richard K. Arning, chairman of Isle of Media said: ’Michael, who is a very senior figurehead in industry, will further strengthen our offering, benefiting media entrepreneurs and investors.

’We are excited to take Isle of Media to the next level with him as the driving force behind our digital and creative strategy for the island.’

Mr Wilson, who joined UTV in 2005 after 10 years at Sky News, oversaw UTV’s expansion, the launch in Ireland and the final transition of its television arm to ITV.

Michael Wilson said:’Isle of Media is at a hugely exciting time in its development with global ambitions. I look forward to developing industry links and encouraging those with entrepreneurial ideas and businesses across the whole supply change of content creation, distribution and commissioning to news, channel operation and digital platforms to look at the Isle of Man as an ideal location to grow.

’For me it is the right time to move with Isle of Media into new ventures, I look forward to leveraging my experience in content creation and digital industries for the Isle of Man.

’The island is uniquely positioned as Europe’s only offshore digital media cluster as it is blessed not only as a picturesque filming location and its own culture but with substantial advantages of a wide creative and techy talent base in film, video and IT, an extraordinary telecommunication infrastructure, financial incentive schemes and a digital media sector inclined government.’