Virgin Media chief executive quits

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The chief executive of embattled cable operator and broadband provider Virgin Media, Steve Burch, has quit the company suddenly.

His departure, which is with immediate effect, is due to "family and personal reasons" according to an announcement issued by the company.

The announcement stated that chief operating officer, Neil Berkett, will fill the position until a permanent replacement is found.

Burch took control of the cable company, NTL, in January 2006, and assisted in the merger with Telewest and subsequent buyout of Virgin Mobile that saw the company rebranded as Virgin Media - offering cable, landline, broadband and mobile services as one package.

However, Virgin Media has recently suffered as a result of a bitter public battle with satellite broadcaster BSkyB, that has seen customers go without popular Sky channels. The company has also been subject to speculation of a fresh takeover bid.

"Steve has contributed significantly to the transformation of Virgin Media," says the company's chairman, Jim Moody. "Since he joined us, the company has emerged as the UK's only 'quad play' provider and a genuinely distinctive presence in the world of communications and entertainment."

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