BBC Productions Names New Head of Entertainment & Events

LONDON: Katie Taylor, currently the executive editor of comedy entertainment at BBC Productions, has been tapped as the company’s new head of entertainment and events.

Taking up her role later this spring, Taylor is the first woman to run the in-house entertainment department at the BBC. She will be responsible for programs such as Strictly Come Dancing, Eurovision, Top Gear, Dragons’ Den and events such as Children in Need of Sport Relief. In her role as executive editor of comedy entertainment, Taylor is involved in the strategy, inception and production of new formats for all four BBC channels.

Pat Younge, the chief creative officer at Vision Productions, said: "I’m absolutely delighted that Katie is taking on this role—she is hugely talented and absolutely the right person to build on Jon Beazley’s legacy and take BBC Entertainment on to the next level of success."

Taylor added: "I am very excited to be working with so many talented BBC faces, both on and behind the screen, and look forward to both bringing on the next generation of artists and to creating brand defining and distinctive entertainment shows and events."