Carlton is streamlining its structure with the creation of two arms, Carlton Channels and Carlton Content, in a bid to speed up the decision-making process.
The new structure was revealed following the announcement that Waheed Alli is set to leave Carlton Productions, of which he is managing director, to pursue his political interests. He is also said to be in talks with Chris Evans and a venture capital company about launching a bid for the Daily Star.
Carlton's new structure has prompted a search for a chief executive to head the content business, which will consist of Carlton Productions, Carlton International and Carlton's new-media business. Steve Hewlett will continue as Carlton TV's director of programming.
Clive Jones, the chief executive of Carlton TV, will be chief executive of the channel business, which will include Carlton's ITV operations, including sales, as well as its digital and interactive divisions.
A new executive board will sit across the two businesses, led by Gerry Murphy, the chief executive of Carlton Communications, with Nigel Walmsley, the chairman of Carlton TV, as the deputy chief executive. Bernard Cragg, Carlton Communication's financial director, will also sit on the board.
Carlton Cinema will sit separately from the content and channels business, within the Carlton Media Services group.
A spokesman for Carlton Communications said: 'The idea behind this is to give Carlton a clearer structure and a lean management.'