SMG hires director of strategy and planning

SMG has bolstered its senior management team with the appointment of former Channel 4 executive Anmar Kawash as group director of strategy and planning.

Kawash has been tasked with developing strategies to help SMG re-establish itself as a significant player in the UK media sector and its operating regions as well as strengthening its existing leadership team. He will report to Rob Woodward, the new SMG chief executive, who is the former commercial director of Channel 4.

Kawash joins the company from FBC Group, an international media and entertainment business specialising in TV production and distribution, where he was group chief operating officer. Prior to that he spent four years as managing director of 4 Ventures.

He has also held senior management roles across various US-based investment and communication companies, including chief operating officer of the technology arm of UBS Warburg.