Rod Henwood, Channel 4's director of new business, is to leave the channel next year.

A key executive involved in the running of 4oD, Channel 4's on demand service, Henwood negotiated the channel's involvement inKangaroo, a new web based video on demand service to be run with BBC Worldwide and ITV. Channel 4's own 4oD service will eventually be subsumed within the joint venture service, in line with Henwood'svision of broadcasters transforming from "monopolistic gatekeepers" into content aggregators.

> Click here for more on Rod Henwood's views on video on demand

"I recently concluded that the completion of the Kangaroo deal would represent a natural break point in my association with Channel 4 and would be a good time to seek a new commercial challenge within the media industries," said Henwood, who in addition to the Kangaroo negotiations rcently oversaw the sale of C4I to DRG and Channel 4's acquisition of Box TV.

"It is the last of a number of major deals that have been the focus of my efforts over the last two years and which have all successfully concluded in recent months," he explained. "With the end of this particular pipeline in sight, I want to embark on a new venture within the digital media. For a long time to come, I shall remain from the outside an enthusiastic fan of Channel 4, its board, management and outstanding staff."

Henwood will leave the channel in April.

"The channel is indebted to Rod for the far-sighted strategy he has helped devise and deliver, which has led to a number of beneficial new partnerships and businesses including our involvement in the exciting new joint venture we announced earlier this week," said Channel 4 chief executive Andy Duncan. "In particular Rod has been instrumental in Channel 4 building a market leading position in TV via the internet through the pioneering launch of 4oD."