Endemol Names New CEO After Bassetti Exits

LONDON: Just Spee, who has been serving as chief financial officer at Endemol, is being elevated to CEO, following the departure of Marco Bassetti. 

Bassetti joined Endemol in 1997, when the Italian production outfit Aran was acquired by the group. He became chief operating officer in October 2007, then becoming president in August 2009. He has been working with Spee since 2011 as joint interim CEO of Endemol. Spee, who joined in 2010 as CFO, is to take over in the CEO role. 

Commenting on behalf of the Board, Charles Allen  said: “We’d like to pay tribute to Marco, who joined the Group in 1997 and has made a significant contribution from both a leadership and creative perspective. He has held various roles, including chief operating officer, group president and most recently interim CEO alongside Just Spee and on behalf of the Board we would like to thank him for the role he has played in the company’s success."

Bassetti commented: "With Endemol’s capital restructuring in the final stages of completion now feels like the right time for me to move on. I am leaving behind a great company, run by exceptional talent and in sound creative, operational and financial shape. It has been a great pleasure to work here."

Allen continued: “Just brings a stellar track record of success. With his knowledge, skills and experience, he is in an excellent position to drive the continued success of the business. In his previous responsibilities Just has proven to be world class, continuously outperforming and delivering excellent results. Without the constraints of an onerous capital structure and supported by a new executive team that he will assemble, he is well positioned to pursue further growth.”

Spee remarked: “I very much look forward to taking on this role at an extremely exciting time for Endemol. This is an exceptional company with a unique platform and some of the most talented and creative people in the business. I look forward to establishing a strong executive team that will drive the business forward. This, alongside an agreement in place with lenders that will put the company on a firm financial footing, strongly positions us for a bright future.”