BBC Three Controller Damian Kavanagh Tapped as Tiger Aspect MD

Damian Kavanagh, controller of BBC Three, has been named as the new managing director of Peaky Blinders producer Tiger Aspect.

Kavanagh will be reporting to Endemol Shine UK CEO Richard Johnston and will be responsible for the creative and strategic direction of the company.

The appointment follows the departure of Ben Cavey earlier this month to join Netflix’s comedy team in L.A.

As controller of BBC Three, Kavanagh has been responsible for commissioning for the channel and overseeing BBC Content’s multiplatform strategy. He took control of BBC Three in December 2014 and oversaw the channel’s migration online in February 2016.

Johnston said: “Tiger Aspect is a unique business, a genuinely multi-genre company with a thriving slate, including global scripted hits, innovative new comedy and entertainment and multi-award-winning kids’ and animation. Damian is a brilliant creative leader who has taken BBC Three from strength to strength and I can’t think of anyone more suited to take Tiger Aspect to the next level.”

Kavanagh said: “I’ve had a wonderful time at BBC Three growing the channel as a digital youth brand and commissioning numerous hit shows loved by audiences and critics alike but feel that the chance to lead a company like Tiger Aspect with its brilliant diverse slate of programming is a rare opportunity that I simply couldn’t let pass. I’m looking forward to working with Richard and the fantastically talented creative teams at Tiger to build on the existing broad portfolio of hit shows and grow the business further.”