Detre (pictured) will join its consumer insights team reporting to Sanjeevan Bala, head of data planning & analytics.

He was most recently chief technology officer at Big Health/Sleepio for two years, and before that led the data science team at The Guardian, and co-founded Memrise.com.

Sarah Rose, director of consumer insight, Channel 4 said: "I am delighted to welcome Greg to lead our growing team of talented data scientists. Channel 4 has already set the standard in data science in our industry and we are excited about developing the next stage of our ambitious strategy"

Metre added: “This is a chance to combine the rigours of my research training with the whirlwind energies of the startup world. There’s no better place than Channel 4 to blaze a trail for the next generation of data products, while working towards a pluralistic mission I believe in.”