£1m Channel 4 boss, the news presenter and a sexism row over her £19.99 heels
THE boss of Channel 4 told news anchor Cathy Newman she must be paid well – because she had nice shoes.
As part of a discussion that included the gender pay gap, David Abraham – who earns almost £1million a year – told the presenter: ‘ Look at the shoes, they’re not cheap.’
Miss Newman, 43, shot back that her footwear came from the high street fashion retailer Zara. Her elegant four-inch heels, in petrol blue velvet, cost just £19.99.
Staff who attended the meeting later accused chief executive Mr Abraham of sexism – especially at a time when the TV industry’s yawning gender pay gap has become such a contentious issue.
A source said: ‘It’s totally inappropriate. Channel 4 goes on about boosting diversity, but then he goes and does something like that. It makes it sound like women only need money for fripperies.’
Mr Abraham’s remarks were particularly tactless given he is paid so much himself, insiders added.
The 54-year- old has one of the biggest pay packets in the public sector – including a £256,000 bonus in 2016, on top of his £560,000 salary and £ 140,000 in pension contributions.
At that rate, he earned twice the amount the boss of the BBC took home, and more than six times the salary of the prime minister.
The incident took place in front of Channel 4 staff during a 45-minute ‘exit interview’ between Miss Newman and Mr Abraham, who is leaving the broadcaster next month.
When Miss Newman asked him whether Channel 4 had been right to pay a reported £75million for three series of The Great British Bake Off, Mr Abraham defended the move – saying the financial rewards from the hit baking series would help ‘to pay for Channel 4 News’. Miss Newman responded: ‘ Very well spent. That’s worth every penny.’
At that point, Mr Abraham indicated that the audience should look at Miss Newman’s footwear, saying: ‘And look at the shoes. They’re not cheap.’
Later in the session, she asked Mr Abraham to reveal Channel 4’s gender pay gap.
The Channel 4 boss declined to do so until next year, when the broadcaster will be forced to do so along with all large companies.
The figure is unlikely to be flattering. Channel 4 has a higher proportion of female staff than any other major British broadcaster – with women accounting for 59 per cent of the workforce.
However, they tend to occupy lower-paid positions. Just 36 per cent of Channel 4’s senior executives are women, putting the organisation behind the BBC, ITV and Channel 5’s owner Viacom. Only Sky’s record is poorer.
But Channel 4’s numbers will get a boost next year by the appointment of Alex Mahon, who is set to replace Mr Abraham as chief executive next month. She is expected to get a similar pay package to Mr Abraham’s.
Mr Abraham – who used to work in advertising – is leaving to set up a new, undisclosed company of his own. A Channel 4 spokesman said last night: ‘This was a clearly lighthearted exchange.’