Dawn Airey, Channel Five's chief executive and chairman, is likely to leave the broadcaster after 14 years to move to a management role at Five's former owner RTL.

Airey's move is part of a restructuring of the senior management team at Five under new owner Richard Desmond. The proprietor of Express Newspapers bought the channel from RTL last month in a £103.5m deal.

It is understood that Airey will remain with the company until a smooth transition is ensured.

The Guardian, citing a source familiar with the situation, reports that staff will be intimated about the new owner's plans for the broadcaster on Wednesday.

They are likely to include job cuts and an overhaul of the management team.

Though the scale of cuts among Five's 300 staff is unclear, the source said the focus is "more on the situation with senior management".

The future of senior executives, including Five's managing director, Mark White, and the director of programmes, Richard Woolfe, is not clear.

Stan Myerson, joint managing director of Desmond's Northern & Shell media operation may get a senior position.