Hayat (pictured) joins the broadcaster from professional services firm Deloitte, where he is a director in the strategy consulting practice. His 20-year background in consulting and the TV industry includes strategy roles at ITV and Ofcom.

At Channel 4, Hayat will lead both the corporate strategy and consumer insight functions, reporting to chief operating officer Jonathan Allan.

Channel 4 promoted Allan to COO as part of a leadership team restructure announced in January, when it also announced that chief consumer and strategy officer, Sarah Rose, would be leaving the broadcaster after the summer.

Hayat will have overall responsibility for the broadcaster’s corporate strategy, including advising on strategic issues and providing analysis for key decisions.

Allan said: “This is a significant year for us and for public service broadcasting as a whole and Khalid’s expertise and insight will add real value to our future strategy and business planning.”