Steve Macallister Exits BBC Worldwide Amid Restructure

LONDON: In the wake of a major reorganization at BBC Worldwide, Steve Macallister, the president and managing director of sales and distribution, has decided to leave the company in the spring.

Macallister joined the company in 2007 and has led the sales and distribution department to record growth. He will continue in his current role until March 31, leading BBC Worldwide Showcase in February and managing the division through the financial year-end.

As part of the changes taking place at BBC Worldwide, Helen Jackson has been named chief content officer. Jackson is currently the managing director of content and production. The post of chief sales officer will no longer be needed, as the sales activities are being devolved to the regions. Responsibility for Western Europe is becoming part of a wider European territory, under global markets. A new role of director of operations will be put in place to oversee technology, property and operations/sales fulfilment. Also being added is the post of chief brands officer. These changes will take effect from April 2, 2013.

Paul Dempsey, BBC Worldwide’s interim CEO, said: “Steve has been a great colleague since he joined BBC Worldwide five years ago. In that time he has professionalized BBC Worldwide’s sales and distribution operation and gone on to deliver consistently outstanding results for the business, whilst playing a huge role in championing British program-making around the world. We will all be sorry to see him leave and I would like to thank him for everything he has done for BBC Worldwide.”

Tim Davie, acting director-general and incoming CEO at BBC Worldwide, added: “Under Steve’s guidance, sales and distribution has achieved remarkable success and growth. I am grateful that he will remain with us to lead sales and distribution through a vitally important quarter for the business and I wish him all the best for the future.”

Dempsey continued: “We are entering a new era for BBC Worldwide with an exciting array of opportunities for growth, both in mature and emerging markets, as well as in the explosion of digital routes to market. The changes we are introducing will put us on track for even greater success.”