The ABC’s director of television Richard Finlayson is to quit the public service broadcaster after three-and-a-half years.

In a statement issued this afternoon, Finlayson said he had decided to leave the organisation after considering his options over Christmas.

His exit is the latest in what has become a turbulent time for the organisation since the arrival of new managing director Michelle Guthrie last April.

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His departure is not a major surprise. Prior to Guthrie’s appointment, Finlayson, previously COO of SBS, had been seen as one of the contenders for the top job.

Finlayson has a track record which will make him an attractive recruitment target for a commercial media business or agency. Prior to being COO of SBS he spent four years leading its commercial operations. He also led acquisitions for pay TV operation XYZ Networks and spent seven years as running Cox Inall Communications, which included both a PR consultancy and a TV production house.

Since Guthrie, who worked for News Corp earlier in her career, joined, the organisation has seen a number of dramatic changes including the dropping of almost all music programs from Radio National. The staff for science TV show Catalyst were also axed.

During Guthrie’s first few months, The ABC also axed its opinion site The Drum.

In October she set out “equal digital life” as the new mantra for the organisation’s content strategy.

Last month ABC TV’s head of entertainment Jon Casimir – one of the creators of Gruen – resigned to work again with Andrew Denton.

Finlayson’s statement: