Satellite television giant British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB) has drafted in the services of City headhunter Spencer Stuart to appoint a new chief executive, according to newspaper reports.

It is believed that BSkyB’s independent board of directors appointed Spencer Stuart in order to resist pressure from chairman Rupert Murdoch to appoint his 30-year-old son James to the role, after Tony Ball announced in late September he would be stepping down as chief executive.

Jan Hall, head of Spencer Stuart’s European media practice, has been appointed to conduct a worldwide search for potential candidates, according to the reports. She is expected to come up with an initial shortlist of suitable candidates.

It is thought that James Murdoch will apply for the job.

Neither Spencer Stuart nor BSkyB were available for comment.