UKTV announces new-look management team

UKTV has shaken up its executive leadership team, following the separation of BBC Studios’ and Discovery’s joint interest in the company, which sees BBC Studios take full ownership of UKTV.

Marcus Arthur, president of BBC Studios UK & Ireland is UKTV’s new CEO, replacing Darren Childs who announced his departure earlier this year.

Suzanne Burrows, Sam Tewungwa and Sarah Sparkes have joined in the roles of chief financial officer, chief commercial officer and senior counsel respectively.

All three will be based at UKTV’s office in Hammersmith and they hold these positions in conjunction with their current roles at BBC Studios UK, which are finance director for the UK Region and global operations, commercial director UK, and director of business and legal affairs, UK.

Finally, Simon Michaelides, who was UKTV’s chief commercial officer, is taking on the role of chief transformation officer in the new structure, and Simon Brown’s current role is expanding to include responsibility for strategy across UKTV and BBC Studios UK region. His new title is Director Strategy BBC Studios UK and Strategy, Insight & Regulatory Affairs UKTV.

UKTV’s Leadership team also includes Zoe Clapp, chief marketing and communications officer, Sinead Greenaway, chief technology and operations officer, Claire Astley, HR director, Steve North, genre general manager for comedy and entertainment, Adrian Willis, genre general manager for Drama & Lifestyle and Richard Watsham, director of commissioning.