British media executive Sam Barnett, who has been at the helm of one of the Arab world's leading broadcasters MBC Group since 2002, has resigned.
MBC, launched in 1991 in London before relocating to Dubai, is behind many hit television programmes in the region, including Arabs Got Talent.
Among its 18 TV stations is the 24-hour Arabic language news channel Al Arabiya.
"It is with a mix of sadness and gratitude that I would like to inform you of the resignation of our dear colleague," wrote Waleed Al Ibrahim, MBC chairman, in a statement to staff on Tuesday.
He said the process for identifying Mr Barnett’s successor is under way "from a pool of top industry executives with global expertise".
Mr Barnett will be an adviser to the company's board from the new year.
