Sam Chisholm, the stocky, irascible New Zealander, who had become one of the most influential figures in British broadcasting, has quit as head of satellite group BSkyB. Chisholm, who joined the company when it was losing --14 million a week, masterminded a dramatic turnaround in its fortunes, steering it to a market value of more than --10 billion and and making it Britain's 20th largest company.

While Chisholm cited health problems as the reason for his decision, industry sources blame a split with Rupert Murdoch, who still controls 40 per cent of its shares and is the single-largest investor. When Murdoch installed daughter Elisabeth as head of BSkyB a year ago, the move sparked rumours that he was trying to oust Chisholm.

In fact, Chisholm is the third senior executive to leave the Murdoch empire in quick succession, as Elisabeth and Murdoch's son Lachlan fight it out for supremacy.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.