Channel 4’s Ralph Lee Promoted to Deputy Chief Creative Officer

LONDON: Ralph Lee, Channel 4’s head of factual, has been promoted to deputy chief creative officer, though he’ll also maintain his existing remit.

Lee will deputize for Jay Hunt, the British network’s chief creative officer, on creative decision-making across all of the company’s channels and platforms, and he’ll lead on the development of program seasons. Lee will also be responsible for providing the strategic direction for short-form content on 4Shorts, the channel’s new brand. In that venture, he’ll be working with head of online Richard Davidson Houston and his team, who will be commissioning the content.

Lee’s new responsibilities will combine with his current post at factual, leading the network’s largest commissioning team. He’s held that position since 2011, where he’s overseen a range of programming including Gogglebox, Educating Yorkshire, The Murder Trial and The King in the Car Park. He began his career as a producer and director of documentaries, and has also served as Channel 4’s deputy and then head of specialist factual, as well as a stint with Channel 5 as their head of factual.

“Ralph is an exceptional commissioner and creative leader, running a team that has delivered hits like Educating Yorkshire and Gogglebox,” Hunt said. “We have been talking for some months about a new role for him at 4 and I am excited he will be working with me as deputy chief creative officer.”

Hunt has also restructured the reporting lines for the channel’s daytime commissioning. David Sayer, the commissioning editor, has been bumped up to head of daytime, where he’ll report to head of features Gill Wilson. Dominic Bird, the head of formats, will continue leading on peak-time format commissioning, increasing his focus on younger-skewing programming.