THE DIRECTOR GENERAL of RTE, Noel Curran, is to stand down from his role in May 2016.
Curran has been in the role since 2011. He has been credited with bringing the organisation back to financial stability during his tenure.
“After five years as Director-General and twelve years on the RTÉ Executive Board, I feel the time is right to move on and take on new professional challenges,” Curran said in a statement.
RTÉ continues to produce strong programming, continues to innovate, and has made the transition to a modern digital media organisation.
It has been my privilege to lead RTÉ through a time of considerable challenge, change, upheaval and innovation – both internally and in the wider market. While many more challenges remain, I think the organisation is well placed to meet them.
Moya Doherty, chair of the RTE board, said that “the board collectively owe him a great debt, and his experience and insight will be truly missed”.
Minister for Communications Alex White meanwhile has described Curran as a “man of outstanding character”.
“His clear vision for public service broadcasting in the digital era has helped steer RTE through the highly successful switch to Saorview and the development of the broadcaster’s online platform,” White said.
He has been a part of the RTE family for over 20 years. Noel is a highly accomplished television producer, who has been a huge asset to the organisation. I want to thank him warmly for the excellent service he has given to RTE.
The minister confirmed that RTE will commence finding Curran’s replacement shortly.
Prior to his appointment as head of the broadcaster Curran spent 12 years on RTE’s executive board.
Born in Monaghan in 1967, he first joined RTE in 1992 as an investigative journalist after studying communications at university.
Eventually graduating to TV production, he produced both Kenny Live and the Late Late Show before leaving RTE once more in 2000 to join an independent production company.
While there he won an IFTA for producing the documentary ‘Bad Blood’ which focussed on the role of pharmaceutical companies who sold blood infected with HIV to Irish hospitals.
He eventually returned to RTE as editor of current affairs, and in 2003 was appointed managing director of TV.
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