Leena Patel is Distribution & Partnerships Leader at Channel 4, where she is helping redefine how a modern public service broadcaster pivots to digital through strategic partnerships.

She manages strategic relationships with global tech giants, PSB joint ventures (Everyone TV, YouView) and emerging platforms. Patel is also a Board Director at Freeview, representing Channel 4’s shareholder interests in one of the UK’s leading free-to-air TV platforms.

Patel has played a central role in some of Channel 4’s most significant developments, helping to negotiate and deliver UKTV’s U service on Channel 4 Streaming – a milestone carriage deal that made Channel 4 the first UK PSB streamer to host a third-party service. She also leads Channel 4’s FAST strategy, including the launch of exclusive streaming channels on Freely.

Before joining Channel 4, Patel held senior roles at the BBC and across major CTV platform businesses, building deep expertise in commercial partnerships, platform growth and digital transformation. She is recognised for her strategic foresight, collaborative leadership and ability to deliver complex, high-impact initiatives in a rapidly evolving media landscape.