Carolyn McCall takes up hot seat as new head of ITV

ITV has appointed Dame Carolyn McCall as its new chief executive, in a move that will see her leave easyJet after seven years at the helm of the carrier.

McCall, 55, will take up her new role at the Coronation Street broadcaster on 8 January next year, replacing Adam Crozier. EasyJet said it has already began the search for her successor.

ITV chairman Peter Bazalgette said: "In a very impressive field of high calibre candidates, Carolyn stood out for her track record in media, experience of an international operation, clear strategic acumen and strong record of delivering value to shareholders."

McCall worked for newspaper publisher Guardian Media Group before taking the helm at easyJet in 2010.

The airline said during her time at the business she saw the business more than treble its share price and returned £1.2 billion to shareholders in dividends.

EasyJet chairman John Barton said: "Carolyn built and led the management team that has transformed easyJet's performance in every respect since 2010. She will leave easyJet well set for future success."

McCall will face tough trading conditions at ITV, which is gripped by a declining television advertising market.

In recent years the broadcaster has cut costs aggressively and has grown revenue by buying up smaller TV production rivals around the world.

ITV's shares have also benefited from persistent takeover speculation, which was fuelled by a move by media and rights holder Liberty ‎Global, the owner of Virgin Media, to buy a minority stake in the broadcaster.

McCall was under stood to have beaten off competition for the ITV job from Paul Geddes, the boss of insurer Direct Line Group, and Seb James, chief executive of the retailer Dixons Carphone.