Veteran broadcast executive Barb Williams has announced her retirement from CBC/Radio-Canada where she’s served as Executive Vice-President of English Services since 2019. 

“Over her six year tenure at the National Public Broadcaster, Williams reimagined the way the CBC could serve existing audiences and welcome new ones, all while navigating the complexities of a global pandemic and the relentless pace of digital transformation,” the CBC stated in an announcement on Wednesday.

“The CBC we know today was born out of Barb’s vision to make our English Services platform agnostic, a transformation that positioned how Canadians consume CBC’s content,” added CBC/Radio-Canada President Marie-Phillipe Bouchard. “Barb’s dedication, integrity, and passion for public broadcasting has propelled CBC forward. Her presence will undoubtedly be missed by all who had the pleasure of working with her. I am incredibly grateful for her immense contribution.”

Williams will continue working with the public broadcaster through the New Year to ensure a smooth transition for her successor, with that search to begin shortly, according to the announcement.

With a long track record of executive roles, Williams previously retired from Corus Entertainment in late 2018 where she held the title of Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer (COO).

She joined the company through Corus’ acquisition of Shaw Media, where she served as President. Prior to that, she was VP, Content at Canwest; Vice-President and GM of Toronto 1; and Senior VP of Lifestyle Programming at Alliance Atlantis.