Mike Darcey
Mike has an extensive background on the strategic and commercial side of television, publishing and telecoms and now undertakes a series of non-executive roles alongside strategy advisory services in these sectors.
Mike is currently a board director for Sky New Zealand and for Arqiva. His previous board positions include Chair of M247 (connectivity and cloud services) and of Dennis Publishing. Mike’s current and recent strategy advisory clients include an array of broadcasters and platforms, both pay and free, and sports rights bodies, in the UK and beyond.
Before turning to plural life, Mike was CEO of News International (Times, Sunday Times, Sun) for three years. Prior to this, Mike spent 15 years at Sky, initially as Director of Strategy, then as Chief Operating Officer. During this time, Mike was integrally involved in all the main strategic decisions and commercial deals, especially with content suppliers and distribution partners. Mike’s involvement in major sports deals included five renewals of the EPL rights. Mike was also closely involved in Sky’s engagement with policy and regulatory issues.
Mike started his career as an economic advisor, working especially on contested legal and regulatory proceedings.