NBCUniversal has appointed Christopher Halpin as chief financial officer as it prepares to separate from Comcast and operate as an independent public company within the next year. The move is significant because Halpin will help steer the company’s finances and strategy during a major corporate transition, while NBCUniversal seeks growth across media, entertainment and sports.

Halpin will start on 8 September and report to Comcast co-chief executive Mike Cavanagh. He joins from Barry Diller-controlled publisher People Incorporated, where he was chief operating and financial officer, and previously spent almost a decade in senior NFL roles, including chief strategy and growth officer. Current NBCUniversal CFO Randy Culbertson will remain on the leadership team in a different role to be announced in coming weeks.