BBC Gets New Commissioning Editor of Entertainment

LONDON: Rachel Ashdown, a former head of entertainment at ITV Studios in Manchester, has been tapped for the role of commissioning editor for entertainment at the BBC.

Ashdown's previous credits include executive producing the Whizz Kid Entertainment/ASG Production Titanic: A Commemoration In Music And Film (BBC), Wall Of Fame (Sky1) for CPL and An Audience With… (ITV), Who Dares Sings (ITV), Stars in Their Eyes (ITV) and Take That Come To Town (ITV). She also served as deputy controller of entertainment at ITV Studios, was part of the commissioning team at UKTV and is currently executive producer at Fresh One Productions.

Mark Linsey, the controller of entertainment commissioning, said: “With her extensive experience in managing teams, commissioning, developing and exec producing, Rachel will make a brilliant addition to my entertainment commissioning team. I can’t wait for her to get started.”

Ashdown added: "I have enjoyed my time working as an executive producer with the teams at Whizz Kid, CPL and Fresh One and am delighted to have the opportunity to return to commissioning. I am thrilled to be joining the BBC and to be working with producers and development teams on a raft of new programs.”