Ex-ITV Studios Exec Joins BBC Worldwide as Global Formats Head

LONDON: Sumi Connock is rejoining BBC Worldwide, tapped as creative director of formats.

Connock was most recently the creative director at ITV Studios, responsible for titles such as University Challenge, You’ve Been Framed! and Countdown. She created and developed a portfolio of new, returning and international formats, which recently included Tricked, Yes Chef and Top Class. Connock previously worked as a commissioning editor for BBC, overseeing shows like Eggheads, Are You an Egghead?, Strictly It Takes Two, Let Me Entertain You, Living in the Sun, Axe the Agent and Through the Keyhole. Connock also worked in BBC in-house production as executive producer on Just the Two of Us, Starspell, Dear Father Christmas, The Big Quiz with Graham Norton and Celebrity Pot Black for Sport Relief.

Tracy Forsyth, the director of factual entertainment and entertainment content at BBC Worldwide, said: “This role requires somebody who lives, breathes and dreams about formats. Someone who can spot a future global hit from a mile away. Thankfully Sumi has all these qualities in spades. Coupled with her creative and commercial background both at BBC and ITV, plus her great experience leading a galvanizing big, diverse teams, I know Sumi will not only help propel the formats strategy and business to even greater heights—but will be enormous fun to work with as well.”

Connock commented: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining the team at BBC Worldwide, which has a huge catalog of established formats plus some fantastic new ones coming through. I’ve always been completely obsessed with TV formats and I’m really excited about working with the creative teams both in the U.K. and internationally to create the next generation of global hits.”