NBCUniversal has appointed Christopher Halpin as chief financial officer ahead of Comcast’s planned separation of its media and technology businesses. The move places an experienced media and sports executive in charge of the company’s global finances as NBCUniversal prepares to operate as a standalone entertainment group under future chief executive Mike Cavanagh.

Halpin will begin on 8 September and report to Cavanagh. He joins from People Inc., formerly IAC, where he was executive vice-president, chief operating officer and CFO; he also previously held senior roles at the NFL and Providence Equity Partners. Current NBCUniversal CFO Randy Culbertson will remain during a transition to a new, yet-to-be-announced role, while Halpin will oversee a portfolio including Universal studios and theme parks, NBC, Telemundo, Peacock, Bravo and Sky.