FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Report of Foreign Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a - 16 or 15d - 16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of NOVEMBER 2006
13 NOVEMBER 2006
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
(Name of Registrant)
Grant Way, Isleworth, Middlesex, TW7 5QD England
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F
Form 20-F X Form 40-F
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Yes No X
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in
connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): Not Applicable
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
EXHIBIT NO. 1 Press release of British Sky Broadcasting Group plc
announcing SENIOR EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS released on
13 NOVEMBER 2006
PRESS RELEASE
13 November 2006
Sky announces senior executive appointments
British Sky Broadcasting (Sky) announced today a number of senior management
appointments.
Mike Darcey, Sky's Group Commercial and Strategy Director, becomes Chief
Operating Officer. Mr Darcey has made important contributions to the company's
growth and strategic development and with this new and expanded role will
continue to support the business on a broad basis.
Brian Sullivan, Sky's Director of Product Strategy and Management, is appointed
to the position of Managing Director, Customer Group with responsibility for
leading the company's marketing, product development and customer service
teams. Mr Sullivan, who has been instrumental in Sky's multi-product strategy
through the successful launch of Sky+, multiroom, Sky HD and Sky Broadband,
takes up the role following the announcement that Jon Florsheim, Sky's Chief
Marketing Officer and Managing Director, Customer Group, is to leave the company
after 12 years to become Chief Executive of Homeserve GB and an Executive
Director of Homeserve plc.
Matthew Anderson, Sky's Group Director for Communications, assumes the new role
of Group Director for Communications and Brand Marketing, taking on
responsibility for brand marketing in addition to leadership of the company's
publicity, corporate communications, public affairs, internal communications and
corporate responsibility activities. By bringing together all of these
functions, Sky aims to ensure a strongly integrated approach to brand
communications across all audiences.
Didier Lebrat is to join Sky in December 2006 in the newly-created role of Chief
Technology Officer from Vodafone Italy, where he currently holds the same
title. The creation of the new role brings together the leadership of Sky's
Information Technology, Customer Technology, Network Infrastructure and
Broadcast Platform teams. In providing single leadership, Sky aims to ensure
that its technology operations are closely aligned with its changing needs as it
grows its pay-TV business and expands into the broadband and telephony markets.
Commenting on the new appointments, James Murdoch, Sky's Chief Executive, said:
"The coming together of entertainment and communications is transforming the
scale of the opportunities before Sky. These appointments ensure that Sky is
well positioned as a challenger in the combined industry of pay TV, broadband
and telephony and underscore the high calibre of Sky's executive team. I am
pleased to be able to make three appointments from our existing team and to
welcome such an accomplished executive as Didier to Sky. As one of the most
experienced executives in the European telecoms industry, he is ideally placed
to lead Sky's technology operations at this exciting time for our business."
Commenting on Jon Florsheim's contribution to Sky over more than a decade, he
added:
"Jon has played a significant role in the growth of Sky's customer base and the
strength of its brand. He is a valued colleague and I would like to thank him
personally for the fundamental contribution that he has made to Sky's success.
We wish him well."
###
Enquiries:
Press:
Robert Fraser Tel: 020 7705 3036
E-mail: corporate.communications@bskyb.com
Analysts/Investors:
Andrew Griffith Tel: 020 7705 3118
Robert Kingston Tel: 020 7705 3726
E-mail: investor-relations@bskyb.com
Biographies
Mike Darcey
Mike Darcey joined Sky in 1998 to establish and run Sky's Strategic Planning
Group and became Group Commercial and Strategy Director in February 2006. Mike
and his team have been closely involved in all major strategic and commercial
developments at Sky. Prior to joining Sky, Mike was an economic advisor for 11
years, working across a wide range of industries with a particular focus on
entertainment and telecommunications.
Brian Sullivan
As Director of Product Strategy & Management, Brian Sullivan leads the
development, marketing and sales of Sky's products and services, with
responsibilities including Sky Broadband, Sky+, Sky HD and multiroom. Prior to
joining Sky in 1996, he spent most of his career in the Pay TV industry
in the United States, first with Viacom's Showtime Networks and then Eagle
Marketing.
Matthew Anderson
Matthew Anderson joined Sky in 2005 to lead the company's corporate
communications, internal communications, publicity, corporate responsibility and
public affairs teams. He joined BSkyB from Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide,
where he was Chief Executive for its Asia Pacific and Europe, Africa and Middle
East regions. During a 15-year career with Ogilvy, Matthew worked on a wide
range of communications programmes and branding initiatives around the world.
Didier Lebrat
Didier Lebrat has been Chief Technology Officer of Vodafone Italy since May
2004, taking responsibility for the design, implementation and operation of
network systems. Prior to Vodafone Italy, he was Chief Technical Officer at
Orange, the UK mobile operator, between 1999 and 2004. During a 24-year career
in the telecommunications industry, Mr Lebrat has also held senior roles at
Bouygues Telecom and SITA.
End
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC
Date: 13 NOVEMBER 2006 By: /s/ Dave Gormley
Dave Gormley
Company Secretary