Ali Jaber, former media consultant to the executive office of the ruler of Dubai, is to succeed Tim Riordan as Group TV Director at MBC when the latter retires in October.

Mr Riordan, who sealed deals with numerous Hollywood studios during his 13 year tenure with the pan-Arab broadcaster, has been “instrumental” in shaping the broadcasting landscape of the Middle East and North Africa, according to the Dubai-based free to air satellite network. He will retain official involvement as a special advisor to the MBC chairman and board.

Ali Al-Hedeithy, director general, MBC Group said: "Tim Riordan has been a pillar of MBC Group for many years. He made his mark particularly in the launch of MBC’s western content channels. However, we have also benefitted from his wide ranging experience across all areas of the Group.

“Tim’s leadership, his ability to make things happen from studio deals to channel launches, and his readiness to innovate, have been a big asset for MBC. We are delighted that Tim has agreed to stay in an advisory capacity to [the] MBC Chairman and Board.” Commenting on this, Ali Al-Hedeithy, MBC's Group Director General said: "Tim Riordan has been a pillar of the MBC Group

Among his achievements, Mr Riordan, who worked at ITV prior to joining MBC in 1998, oversaw the move of the latter’s broadcast headquarters from London to Dubai in 2002, the launch of the MBC2 movie channel in 2003, and the expansion of the network to a highly rated ten-channel strong outfit by 2011.

Ali Jaber, meanwhile, has held simultaneous roles as advisor to the Parliamentary Committee on Information and Telecommunications, television consultant at Dubai Media Incorporated, and as Dean of the Mohammed Bin Rashid School for Communications at the American University of Dubai.

"I'm pleased to welcome Ali Jaber to the MBC family, ahead of his joining date in September,” said Mr Al-Hedeithy. “Ali's background, his wide ranging achievements in the industry and his years of experience will bring added value to the Group and will further enrich our team of group directors."