BBC Studios Appoints New GM for Greater China

BBC Studios Asia Pacific has appointed Ding Ke as the new senior VP and general manager for Greater China.

Currently head of content sales and formats for BBC Studios in mainland China, Ke will be responsible for BBC Studio’s Greater China business, including content distribution, co-productions, format sales and branded services. She is based in Beijing.

She replaces Kelvin Yau, who left the company in December, and the appointment will come into effect from June 1.

Phil Hardman, who has been acting GM of Greater China in the intervening months, will take on a broader remit as senior VP of commercial strategy for BBC Studios Asia from June 1. Hardman’s new role will see him lead Asia’s business growth strategy.

Jon Penn, executive VP of  BBC Studios APAC, said: “Ding Ke has been an integral part of the leadership team in China since she joined in 2011, and has been responsible for strong sales growth over the last three years as our head of content sales and formats. She has forged new partnerships with clients and is an outstanding ambassador for BBC Studios’ global distribution business in the region.

“Phil has done an exceptional job leading the Greater China team over the last few months and his new, expanded role will enable us to reap the benefits of his strategic commercial leadership. I’m delighted that we have such strong leaders to help us grow in the territory.”

Ke said: “I am passionate about BBC Studios content and proud to work with such brilliant teams across Beijing, Taipei and Hong Kong, witnessing positive development and rapid change in China’s content market and local platforms over the past nine years.

“I’m looking forward to cooperating with our valued clients, delighting audiences by bringing bold, British, creativity to the market, and helping to realize our partners’ ambitions.”