Charles Allen (born 4 January 1957) was Chief Executive of ITV plc from its formation in 2004 until 2007. He joined Granada Group In 1991, as CEO of Granada TV, During the next several years he was instrumental in the takeovers of Forte Hotels for £3.9 billion in 1997 and the Takeovers of LWT and Yorkshire Tyne Tees Television in 1994 and 1999 respectively. In 2001 Granada Group merged with Compass to form Granada Compass, then de-merged into Granada Media Plc and Compass Group. He remained with Granada when the two companies demerged and became Executive Chairman of Granada plc in 2001. When Granada merged with Carlton Communications to form ITV plc, Allen became the new company's Chief executive officer.