After eight years as Director General of SVT, Sweden’s public service broadcaster, Eva Hamilton has decided to step down. She informed the Board yesterday and the rest of SVT’s personnel this morning.

“It’s been a difficult decision, but I gave SVT my all for eight successful years, and now the time has come to bow out” is how Eva Hamilton puts it.

“SVT can look forward to six years with a broadcasting license in place and settled financial backing. We are in the forefront when it comes to the transition from traditional to digital TV viewing. SVT presently has the most popular programming, and we top the charts when it comes to credibility. Just the other day, SVT was voted one of Sweden’s top employers. And we recently decided to go ahead with more regional news programming to increase our local presence and relevancy. So now it’s time for someone else to take the helm" Eva Hamilton adds.

The Chair of SVT’s Board, Anna-Karin Celsing, will be responsible for recruiting a new Director General.

“For the past eight years, Eva Hamilton has successfully led SVT through a time of great change. Her clear-cut and enthusiastic leadership has inspired her associates to reinvent public service. Now that she, after 24 years in total, decides to move on, SVT stands stronger than ever before. I’m sorry to see Eva go, but I respect her decision. Now it’s time for us to set about filling one of Sweden’s most interesting positions” says Anna-Karin Celsing, Chair of the Board at SVT.

Eva Hamilton will remain until her successor is found.

“I have no specific plans, but I do like to work. For the time being, I will be focusing on what the upcoming months have in store for SVT. Several important tasks remain, such as the upcoming elections and the launch of SVT Flow" Eva Hamilton rounds off.