Former BSkyB deputy managing director David Chance has joined UK media operation Granada Media as a non-executive director.

The appointment comes as parent Granada Group is preparing to float its media division by mid-July. Granada is expected to stress Chance's experience in pay-TV and new media in the run-up to the float.

Nigel Rich, chair of property concern the Hamptons Group, will also join as a non-executive director.

The float is expected to raise cash for Granada to bid for one of its commercial ITV rivals Carlton Communications or United News & Media, which are in turn in the process of merging. Granada Media will include the ITV franchises for Granada, Yorkshire, London Weekend and Tyne Tees, plus a 50% share in OnDigital and stakes in ITN, Scottish Media Group and Australia's Seven Network.