Peter Salmon Exits Banijay UK, Patrick Holland Joins

Peter Salmon, executive chairman of Banijay UK, has decided to step down from his role, which will be filled by BBC exec Patrick Holland.

Salmon exits after six years with EndemolShine, where he began as global chief creative officer for the wider group before becoming the U.K. executive chairman. He has been working in partnership with CEO Lucinda Hicks to consolidate Banijay UK, which now comprises 20 companies, including Dragonfly, IWC, Kudos, RDF, Remarkable, Shine TV, Tiger Aspect, Workerbee, Yellow Bird UK and Zeppotron.

Holland will take up the role of Banijay UK’s executive chairman at the start of the second quarter. He joins from the BBC, where he most recently served as director of factual, arts and classical music since April 2021. Previously, from March 2017, he was channel controller of BBC Two, following his earlier appointment as channel editor in July 2016.

Holland will report to Banijay’s CEO, Marco Bassetti, while working closely in-territory with group COO Peter Langenberg.

Bassetti commented: “Peter has been a great partner with Lucinda leading the integration in the U.K. While the business continues to grow and evolve from here on in, the initial integration is complete, and we understand now is an opportune time for him to move on to pastures new. We thank him for all his hard work this past 18 months and we wish him all the best with whatever comes next.”

Salmon said: “It’s been tremendous fun, first of all, spearheading the creative charge globally for the group, then helping lead such a powerhouse of U.K. producers this past couple of years, supporting Lucinda and a brilliant team of MDs. Banijay UK is now well and truly established and thriving, and it’s a good time to move on. This phase is very much the culmination of the EndemolShine sale and subsequent consolidation in the U.K., and I’m very happy to have led it to this point—the logical time to move on.”

Bassetti added: “With unrivaled knowledge of the U.K. market following a hybrid producer/commissioner career, Patrick couldn’t be better placed to take on the reins of the business and join our global collective of creative entrepreneurs. Sitting at the helm of a portfolio of best-in-class talent, there is huge opportunity to further grow the pipeline of premium programming and build on Banijay UK’s existing track record – we look forward to seeing the local group further soar under his direction.”

Holland said: “Banijay UK represents an extraordinary group of companies, led by some of the very best creatives in the business, so it is hugely exciting to be asked to take on this challenge. The range and quality produced across the labels is unparalleled and, together with the hugely talented Lucinda Hicks, I’ll do all I can to help their continued growth and development. I’ve had six wonderful years as a commissioner at the BBC, but the scope and ambition of the new role made the return to production irresistible.”