A mainland businessman with little television experience but close ties with a powerful broadcaster has been appointed ATV chief executive. Property developer Feng Xiaoping, the biggest stakeholder in the broadcaster with 25 per cent, will replace acting chief executive Kenneth Kwok Wai-kin, who quit yesterday. ATV said Mr Kwok had resigned for 'personal reasons', and thanked him for his nine years' work. Mr Kwok had remained in his post after a consortium associated with Mr Feng and enjoying strong mainland connections took control of ATV in May and installed its own management team. An ATV spokesman said chief operating officer Bruno Wu Ching, who helped assemble the consortium, had 'red eyes' after farewelling Mr Kwok. Mr Feng, executive director of Crossprofit Development Ltd, describes himself as a friend and business partner of Phoenix channel chairman Liu Changle, who has high-level links in Beijing and the Central Military Commission. Mr Feng came to Hong Kong from Guangzhou 13 years ago. Mr Liu took 13.79 per cent of ATV in the purchase of part of the stake of honorary chairman Lim Por-yen, who faces corruption charges in Taiwan. Mr Liu and Mr Feng are shareholders in Dragon Viceroy, along with two of Mr Liu's partners in Phoenix. Mr Kwok was appointed acting chief executive when Lim's troubles began in Taiwan last year. 'Now ATV has a formal chief executive, it's the right time to go,' he said. 'I believe there will be changes in ATV in future, and I hope it will change for the better.'