Richard Waghorn

CTO in the media industry: extensive experience in developing strategy, delivering transformation and achieving positive business outcomes

Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland

About

Board-level technology leader with 25+ years’ experience transforming large, complex, public media organisations, including RTÉ, BBC and SABC. I develop and deliver on strategies that unlock operational excellence, reduce costs, and enable audience and revenue growth through new digital products and services. I bring a mix of commercial realism and operational depth across technology, digital, production and broadcast. I’ve built a career on challenging “the way we always done it”, untangling legacy systems, and making change happen. I lead complex business transformations - modernising technology, streamlining workflows and reshaping operating models - while building alignment across internal and external stakeholders. I build strong, diverse teams, back them to deliver, and try not to get in their way too much. Along the way, I’ve become known for straight-talking, getting things done, and keeping a sense of humour when the pressure’s on (most of the time).

Experience

  • Chief Technology Officer at RTE
    Feb 2012 - Present · 14 yrs 5 mos

  • Non-Executive Director and Advisory Portfolio (Part-time · 13 yrs 4 mos)
    • Non-Executive Director - Multiplex Broadcasting Services N.I. Limited
      Jun 2019 - Present · 7 yrs 1 mo

    • IBC Council Member - International Broadcasting Convention (IBC)
      May 2019 - Present · 7 yrs 2 mos

    • Non-Executive Director - RTÉ Transmission Network DAC (trading as 2rn)
      Mar 2013 - Present · 13 yrs 4 mos

  • Chief Technology Officer at SABC
    Mar 2009 - Nov 2011 · 2 yrs 9 mos

  • Controller of Distribution at BBC
    Mar 2005 - Feb 2009 · 4 yrs

  • Non-Executive Director and Advisory Portfolio (Greater London, England, United Kingdom)
    • Non-Executive Director - Freesat (UK) Limited
      Jun 2007 - Jan 2009 · 1 yr 8 mos

    • Non-Executive Director - BBC Free to View (Satellite) Limited
      Jun 2007 - Jan 2009 · 1 yr 8 mos

    • Non-Executive Director - Digital TV Group (DTG)
      Mar 2007 - Jan 2009 · 1 yr 11 mos