FIC Europe & Africa Gets New Head of Production

LONDON: Jo McGrath has been appointed as the head of production for Europe and Africa at FOX International Channels (FIC), effective immediately.

Based in London, McGrath will work under Jason Thorp, the company’s executive VP of content for Europe and managing director for the U.K. and Africa. She will be expected to manage all production activity across FIC Europe’s entertainment and lifestyle properties. Over the past few months McGrath has developed 50 hours of original programming for FIC’s global network 24 Kitchen. In her new role she will supervise Nicole Streak, FIC Europe’s commissioning editor of factual entertainment.

McGrath previously served as the head of features and daytime for Channel 4, where she developed and commissioned successful factual entertainment shows such as Ten Years Younger and You Are What You Eat. She was also the head of factual and features for Tiger Aspect, where she is credited with the commissions of Restoration Man and Cook Yourself Thin.

McGrath commented: "I am thrilled to be part of FIC Europe & Africa at such an exciting time in the company’s development. We’ve got a great team and editorially we want to take risks. We need entertaining returnable series which genuinely feel different and have a sense of humor. Whether it’s talent, tone or subject matter, we want our shows to stand out from the crowd."

Thorp added: "Jo’s knowledge, experience and reputation across the business will prove invaluable as we strive to become a credible player in content production, creating and owning returnable and marketable series for our channels across Europe."