Upon Liberty Global's (LBTYA +1.50%) successfully closing its acquisition of Virgin Media (NASDAQ: VMED), Tom Mockridge will assume CEO responsibilities of the U.K. communications firm, Liberty Global announced today.
Liberty Global expects the $23 billion Virgin Media deal to be finalized in June after securing shareholder approval of both companies.
Most recently, Mockridge served as CEO for News Corp.'s News International Limited division. He has held several senior management roles over more than 20 years with that company.
"Tom will bring to Virgin Media a breadth of experience in the pay-TV industry, both in the UK and throughout Europe," Mike Fries, CEO of Liberty Cable, was quoted as saying.
Mockridge will replace outgoing Virgin Media CEO Neil Berkett, and will report directly to Fries and a newly formed operating committee after the acquisition by Liberty Global closes. Mockridge said he is "excited to become part of the Liberty Global family and look[s] forward to working closely with Mike and his team as they continue to build the world's largest cable platform."
Editor's note: A previous version of this story incorrectly mentioned Liberty Mutual, which is not connected to this story.
