Ulster Television said yesterday that Mr Desmond Smyth has retired as its managing director, to be replaced by Mr John McCann. Mr Smyth (49) joined UTV in 1975 as financial controller, becoming company secretary a year later, then managing director in 1983.

Educated at Limavady Grammar School and Queen's University, Belfast, Mr Smyth began his professional career at Coopers & Lybrand, now PricewaterhouseCoopers, qualifying as an accountant in 1974. He is a former president of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

"After 24 years in senior managerial roles with the company, I feel the time is right for change. I have greatly enjoyed the challenge of working for UTV," he said yesterday.