Kangaroo head jumps over to Microsoft online division

Ashley Highfield, the head of Kangaroo, the proposed joint venture video project from the BBC, ITV and Channel 4, has resigned after a matter of months to run the Microsoft Consumer and Online division in the United Kingdom. His departure will be a further set-back to the troubled Kangaroo project, the launch of which has been delayed subject to a Competition Commission investigation.

The former director of future media and technology at the BBC left to head up the Kangaroo project in April, joining at the beginning of July, just as the Competition Commission enquiry was announced.

“I was presented with an amazing opportunity which I couldn’t turn down, and I am looking forward to embarking on my new challenge, while wishing everyone at the project continued success,” he said in a statement.

Rod Henwood, who was previously responsible for launching the Channel 4 on-demand service, will take over as interim chief executive of the Kangaroo initiative while a replacement is sought.

The joint venture between the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 had been due to launch this year but is now unlikely to reach the public until the middle of next year, assuming that it is allowed to proceed in the proposed form, which now seems increasingly uncertain.