Rachel Corp has departed ITN after nearly four years as chief executive, the company announced on Tuesday, with Ian Rumsey appointed as her successor with immediate effect.
Departure announced
Corp will remain at ITN until 22 May to ensure a smooth handover. In a statement, she said: “After a great deal of reflection, I have decided that the time is right for me to step down as CEO and pursue new opportunities. ITN has been a huge part of my life and career for more than three decades, and it has been a privilege to work alongside so many talented colleagues. I am incredibly proud to have led ITN during such a critical period for public service journalism and trusted content in a rapidly changing industry.” Her exit has reportedly shocked colleagues within the organisation.
Board chair Kyla Mullins said: “Ian is an outstanding editorial and executive leader who knows ITN exceptionally well, having worked across its news division and led ITN Productions for the best part of 20 years. We are delighted he will be leading the organisation into its next chapter. ITN remains one of the most respected and trusted news organisations in the UK and internationally, as well as a prolific content powerhouse at home and globally. While the wider media environment continues to evolve rapidly, we are confident in ITN’s future, the strength of our journalism and production teams, and the opportunities ahead.”
Rumsey takes the helm
Ian Rumsey, a Bafta- and RTS-winning producer, joined ITN in 2005 after beginning his career in newspapers. He worked his way up to become programme editor of ITV News’ News at Ten and, from 2021, chief content officer of ITN Productions. In June 2023 he was appointed managing director of content, expanding his editorial responsibility across ITN’s wider business. His recent projects include factual content for Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and ITV, and he has overseen coverage of the last five UK general elections.
Rumsey’s appointment reverses a decision announced just last month to join rival production group Zinc Media. He said: “ITN is a remarkable organisation, full of outstanding people, world-class journalism and storytelling — but, most of all, a unique attitude and spirit. Like all media businesses, we face real challenges, but we also have huge opportunities and enormous potential ahead of us. Rachel has given an enormous amount to ITN over many years, both as CEO and long before that, and she leaves with my friendship, admiration and thanks. I know everyone across the company will join me in wishing her every success for the future.”
Three decades at ITN: Corp’s career and legacy
Corp first joined ITN as a trainee more than three decades ago, rising through the ranks to hold senior editorial roles including editor of ITV News London, editor of 5 News and editor of ITV News before being appointed chief executive in September 2022. During her career she covered major stories in the UK and abroad, including conflicts in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq, and was recognised with awards for her journalism.
As CEO, Corp oversaw a period of significant financial pressure for ITN. The company recorded its lowest profit in a decade in 2024, with pre-tax profit nearly halving year-on-year to £800,000 overall revenue dipping 3% to £150.7m. ITN attributed the drop to reduced news syndication contracts and non‑recurring corporate costs, partially offset by stronger newsroom contributions and overhead savings. Revenue from other TV and production sources fell sharply from £45.2m to £26.8m. The company also carries a pension deficit of £96m.
Despite the financial headwinds, Corp led a push to diversify ITN’s business beyond traditional news, expanding into documentaries, sport, short‑form and branded content, and broadening its reach across global streaming services. In 2025 she secured a fourth major news contract to produce ITV’s Good Morning Britain. ITN launched a new premium content label and a dedicated digital division, and began investing in artificial intelligence and data skills through an AI and Data Academy in partnership with Multiverse. The company’s digital audience grew significantly, notching up more than 7.2bn online views in 2024, driven largely by TikTok.
ITN – jointly owned by ITV plc (40%), DMGT (20%), Thomson Reuters (20%) and Informa (20%) – produces daily news programmes for ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5, and is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. The organisation has been reimagining its archive for social‑video audiences and continuing to invest in its diversity and inclusion strategy.
