Peter Salmon to Exit BBC for Endemol Shine Group

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AMSTERDAM/LONDON: Peter Salmon, currently director of BBC Studios, has become chief creative officer at Endemol Shine Group, which has also announced several other new senior executive team members.

Salmon will lead the creative direction of the group’s worldwide network, which has 120 production companies in more than 30 markets. He will have oversight of the U.K. business, working with Richard Johnston and Lucinda Hicks, CEO and COO, respectively. At an international level, Salmon will be working to champion ideas and further accelerate the rollout of content internationally across linear and digital platforms, with the creative networks division, led by Lisa Perrin, also reporting to him. He will take up the post in early summer and will report to Endemol Shine Group CEO Sophie Turner Laing.

Salmon said: “The opportunity to work alongside some of the industry’s most creative and prolific talent, both in the U.K. and internationally across Endemol Shine Group, was simply irresistible. I’ve already had the privilege of working with many of the production companies under the Endemol Shine umbrella in the U.K. and I’m a great admirer of shows created by the group globally. It’s an incredibly talented international team, which I can’t wait to join and collaborate with on bringing content to screens and audiences across the world.”

Turner Laing commented: “Peter is a true creative champion. His profound understanding of the creative process and respect for talent comes with an avid desire to reach audiences. His experience will be invaluable as we look to the future having successfully united our global business over the last year, and his enthusiasm for the new role is infectious. We look forward to welcoming him to the fold.”

On his departure from the BBC, Salmon added: “My first job in the media was at the BBC 35 years ago and I am a huge supporter of the corporation, its program makers and its ethos, so it’s with a mixture of excitement and sadness that I’m moving on. I agreed with Tony Hall I would help get BBC Studios successfully through this first phase, establishing a strong senior team, its direction and remit, so this feels like an appropriate time for a successor to come in and take up the baton. I look forward to working over the next couple of months to ensure there are strong foundations and a thorough handover.”

Also joining the new senior lineup is Emma Moloney, formerly general counsel at News Corp’s national newspaper group, News UK, who will become general counsel of Endemol Shine Group. Moloney will lead the group’s legal affairs team as well as oversee the company’s distribution business, working closely with Endemol Shine International CEO Cathy Payne. Her appointment follows Boudewijn Beusmans’s move to his new role as CEO of Endemol Shine Netherlands, announced in October 2015. In addition to leading the Netherlands business, Beusmans will continue in an international capacity as executive VP of the group, advising across areas including partnerships, talent deals, governance and strategy.

Turner Laing remarked: “These appointments cement a world class executive team to take us into our second year as a group. The wealth of expertise that Emma brings will be an enormous asset to the group, as will Boudewijn’s extensive experience and knowledge. I’m thrilled to have them and Peter taking these key executive roles and adding further strength and leadership to our senior team.”