After more than five years with CanWest Global, Kevin Shea has resigned as president of Global Television Network.

"I felt by and large that the objectives I set for myself at CanWest Global had been met, like fixing the news, helping it become a national network and getting the specialties out," says Shea, who "absolutely" plans to stay within the industry, but for now is planning to enjoy a three- or four-month hiatus.

While Global staff was surprised by last month’s announcement, Shea says he spoke to the Aspers a year ago about his plans to leave once the WIC deal was complete and Hamilton, ON station CH Television was launched.

"I think it should be made mandatory that most senior executives should change companies every five years," he says from his home in Toronto.

Shea joined Global in 1995 as president and COO of Global Television Network’s eastern operations.

In April 2000, he took on the role of president of the network, with the responsibility of overseeing all of Global’s conventional television stations in Canada.

Prior to joining Global, Shea held several key positions in the broadcasting industry, including president and COO at the former Atlantis Communications, founding president and CEO of YTV Canada and VP, marketing – Canada and the U.S. at Rogers Cablesystems. *

Shea left the building on Feb. 14.

-www.canwestglobal.com