Geoff Cooper is the new chair of Channel 4 , the U.K. network said on Wednesday.

After months of speculation, Channel 4’s interim CEO Jonathan Allan released a statement lauding Cooper’s “extensive board-level experience” and “fresh insights.” Reports emerged last month that Cooper, chairman of the online electrical goods retailer AO, had interviewed for the British state-run broadacaster.

“I would like to congratulate Geoff Cooper on his appointment and, on behalf of everyone at Channel 4, extend a warm welcome to this uniquely special broadcaster at a critical time for public service media in the U.K.,” Allan said.

“Geoff brings extensive board-level experience from a wide range of businesses, as well as proven commercial acumen. As a publicly owned but commercially funded company,

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