Discovery Communications CFO Andrew Warren will be leaving the company after nearly five years — but he’ll stay until the end of 2016 before packing up his office.
The decision was Warren’s, the company said on Tuesday within its own announcement. An internal and external search for a new chief financial officer will begin immediately, and will be led by Howard Fischer Associates.
“Discovery is a better company because of Andy Warren and I cannot say enough about his commitment and collaboration over the past many years,” David Zaslav, president and CEO, Discovery Communications, said. “Andy has brought a focus on capital allocation and our balance sheet that has helped drive strong organic and free cash flow growth. Under his guidance we have invested in more original content and sports IP, diversified our global businesses and platforms and developed innovative currency and tax management strategies.”
“He has been a valued partner to me and a dedicated leader for our company,” the statement continued. “On behalf of the entire management team and our Board of Directors, I thank him for his numerous contributions to Discovery’s success and I am pleased he will remain with the company through the end of 2016, ensuring a smooth transition.”
Among his accomplishments over the recent near-half decade, Warren led the financing and the financial integration for the $1.7 billion acquisition of SBS Nordic and the acquisition of Eurosport, and led over $3 billion of USD and Euro debt issuances, as well as the company’s tax and capital allocation strategy.
He also built Discovery’s finance team, led the upgrade of the company’s technology infrastructure, and oversaw financing for several global agreements focused on intellectual property and content investment — most recently Discovery and Liberty Global’s joint-venture acquisition of All3Media, and Discovery’s deal to acquire the multiplatform rights to the Olympic Games in Europe beginning in 2018.
“I am enormously grateful to David and the company for the opportunities I have had since joining in 2012 and am proud of what we accomplished,” Warren said. “Discovery has a remarkable management team, unparalleled assets and the unquestionable ability to win through its unique global content position and strategy.”
“I plan to remain a long-term shareholder,” the outgoing executive concluded. “My decision to leave at the end of 2016 was a difficult and personal one, yet I look forward to my next career opportunity.”