UKTV is experiencing a period of high growth coupled with high risk as the channel invests profits in new programming. Simon Michaelides recognises his biggest challenge is seeing the company safely through the transition. “The television industry is going through the most volatile, complex and rapid period of change in the past 20 years, forcing all broadcasters to redefine audience and competitor sets.” As a challenger brand in the industry, he believes creativity and innovation are critical to maintaining growth but admits this adds pressure as the channel must be “comfortable leaving established thinking and ways of working behind”.