Keynote SpeakersAlex Mahon is the CEO of Channel 4.
As the first woman to lead a major UK broadcaster, Alex Mahon has revolutionised the company into a digital-first public media entity.
Her focus behind the scenes has been on fostering diversity, equitable representation, and creativity within the organisation.
Alex’s career journey is diverse, including roles as a scientist and a kitchen porter before transitioning into TV production.
She began her television career with positions at Talkback Thames and FremantleMedia. Subsequently, she headed various creative production companies aimed at growth and global expansion, notably as CEO of Shine Group, known for producing hits like MasterChef and Broadchurch. She then led Foundry, an innovative visual effects software company pushing the boundaries of film and TV production.
At Channel 4, Alex Mahon has adeptly navigated numerous challenges, from adapting to changing audience demands and integrating new technologies to promoting diversity within the media workforce.
Channel 4, with its unique public-private funding model, faces significant scrutiny from the government, regulators, and the media. Under Alex’s leadership, the company has maintained a delicate balance between producing creative, provocative content and fulfilling its public service obligations. She has also addressed practical issues such as enhancing the network’s regional presence and championing talent diversity through initiatives like 4Skills.
Alex upholds Channel 4’s legacy as an independent, trailblazing organisation on and off screen. During her tenure, traditional broadcasting and streaming platforms have seamlessly blended.
The programming continues to spark national discussions on topics such as inclusion and social change, reflecting the company’s commitment to these issues. This commitment is evident in Alex’s efforts to review and improve Channel 4’s policies to support employees dealing with menopause, fertility issues, or pregnancy loss, breaking long-standing corporate taboos.
Alex Mahon – Keynote Speaker
As a keynote speaker, Alex shares her experiences in leadership, discussing change management, growth, innovation, crisis management, and authenticity.
Drawing on extensive research into Gen Z, she explores how businesses can engage with this demographic as consumers and colleagues.
She delves into nurturing creativity within an organisation and creating a unique, open, and supportive culture. Additionally, she examines the challenges of catering to a digital-first audience inundated with algorithm-driven content options.
Popular speeches include:
Improbable Candidate:
In this talk, Alex will touch upon her principles of leadership, how she leads, and how that maps to modern leadership.
Nerd to Media Mogul:
In this talk, Alex discusses her background, how she understood what skills and abilities came naturally, and how she has used those in her career.
Are You a Groundbreaker or a Ghost?:
In this talk, Alex will discuss the key principles of embedding diversity, inclusion, and equity in your organisation and explain why this matters.
Gen Z: Young Progressive, Illiberal, Conflicted:
In this talk, you will learn about Gen Z in the UK today, what they care about, where they spend their time, and how they react emotionally to their digital world.
Goggle Eyed Britain:
With a combination of original research and behavioural science, Mahon will talk about what is happening in Britain today, how different types of viewing make people feel and what we may need to think about as societal impacts increase.
How to Bottle Lightning:
The culture is the collective thought and soul of the company. You cannot control it or hide it, but the right creative culture has the potential to capture lightning in a bottle.
Alex has extensive industry involvement. She has chaired the RTS Programme Awards, served as a Non-Executive Director of the Edinburgh International Television Festival, and participated in the DCMS Advisory Panel on the BBC and the UK Government Creative Industries Council. She is also an ambassador for London Tech Week and a founding member of WITs END, a network for women’s development in the tech industry.
Alex has been honoured with Variety’s International Achievement in Television Award and an International Royal Industrial Fellowship.
