Max Graesser

Max joined Granada in 1980 as a programme researcher and worked across a wide range of Factual programmes, including End of Empire and History of Apartheid with Brian Lapping. He was a regional news producer for two years, and went on to produce the tender winning pilot for ITV's daytime flagship, This Morning, of which he became Deputy and then Managing Editor.

He left day to day programme making to manage production at Granada for five Directors of Programmes in turn, including David Liddiment, Andrea Wonfor, and Simon Shaps. In that period he also worked on the takeovers of LWT and YTV, the acquisition of Granada’s stake in Channel 7 Australia, and the set up of Granada’s Australian production company.

He was appointed Director of Operations for Granada Broadband in the summer of 2000. Promoted to Chief Operating Officer a year later, he successfully restructured Granada’s new media investments. Following a stint reorganising Granada’s facilities operation, he was appointed Managing Director, Operations for ITV News Group in February 2004, where he was responsible for rebuilding the News infrastructure across the UK, and implementing a major efficiency programme.

In June 2006, he was appointed Director of Operations for ITV plc with a remit to lead the Operational Review and implement efficiency improvements throughout ITV.

Outside work Max indulges an unhealthy passion for sailing. He is also married to Sarah Harding, a television drama director, and has two teenage daughters who still choose to speak to him.