UKTV Restructure Sees Expanded Remits for GMs

LONDON: UKTV has implemented a new editorial structure, under which Steve North, the general manager of Dave and Gold, gets a broader role, as does Adrian Wills, who heads up Drama and Yesterday.

North adds Watch to his portfolio, while Wills' remit now includes Alibi. Emma Boston, the director of network performance, has been promoted to general manager in the reshuffle, responsible for UKTV's on-demand services.

Steve Hornsey, the general manager overseeing Watch and Alibi, will leave UKTV. Clare Laycock, the general manager of Good Food, Home and Really, has also left the broadcaster.

Emma Tennant, the controller of UKTV, said, "The reason that UKTV continually bucks the market is because it can be fleet of foot and adaptable to changing market conditions. This new structure is the next stage of our ambitious growth plan and I know that in Steve North, Adrian Wills and Emma Boston I have the perfect leadership team to sustain UKTV’s record growth across linear and non-linear."

Of Laycock's departure, Tennant said, "Clare has made a fantastic contribution to UKTV. She leaves behind a great legacy with Home and Good Food continuing to lead the lifestyle genre and is leaving Really as one of the fastest growing channels on the network. She has also been instrumental in bringing award-winning content to the channels such as Choccywoccydoodah, Hairy Bikers’ Mississippi Adventure, My Flat Pack Home, Valentine Warner Eats Scandinavia, Madhur Jaffrey’s Curry Nation and John Torode’s Australia.

"I will personally miss Clare’s creative energy and infectious enthusiasm and I, along with everyone else at UKTV, wish her all the best in her future career."