THE boss who shook up ITV Meridian in Kent has switched to a new role with the commercial broadcaster.

Lindsay Charlton has moved from managing director to head the ITV Local broadband service trialled in the Meridian area and being rolled out nationally.

Mr Charlton spearheaded controversial changes that closed Meridian’s studios in New Hythe, near Maidstone, and switched news presentation to Hampshire.

The changes, prompted by the merger of Carlton and Granada into a single ITV and the need to cut costs, were fiercely opposed by senior local figures and trade unions.

Staff were laid off and Geoff Clark, the former ITV Meridian news anchor, defected to the BBC rather than travel from his home in Essex to new studios in Whiteley, near Fareham.

Mr Charlton, who began his journalistic career with the Kent Messenger Group, defended the shake-up, saying it would be accompanied by substantial investment in new technology and the opening of a new studio in Maidstone.

This was opened by Charles Allen, ITV chief executive, in 2004.

Mr Charlton’s successor is Mark Southgate who will combine the job with his role as controller of news and regional programmes.

He has been in television news for 18 years as a sub-editor, producer and editor, previously working for Television South (TVS), ITV Meridian’s predecessor.

He helped launched Meridian and edited the flagship news show Meridian Tonight.

"When I started work as a newsroom journalist in Maidstone, I never thought I would one day wind up as managing director," he said.

"I’m delighted to be asked to lead the talented, professional and flexible team that we have at Meridian."

Mr Charlton added: "During the past four years, the Meridian licence has undergone a complete transformation and modernisation which has mirrored the enormous changes in the rest of ITV.

"I’m extremely proud to leave behind a talented team running the new digital Meridian and I wish Mark every success in his new role."