Kay Benbow to Leave BBC Children’s Amid Restructure

CBeebies Controller Kay Benbow is among a trio of executives departing BBC Children’s as the division undergoes a restructuring, which includes the creation of four new positions and the elimination of redundant roles.

Benbow has spent 25 years working for BBC Children’s, most recently as controller of CBeebies since 2010. In 2006, she began serving as the head of CBeebies production, animation and acquisitions. Benbow first joined BBC Children’s in 1998 after working for BBC World and Domestic Services. She will be leaving the company at the end of this year.

After 11 years, Alison Stewart, head of CBeebies production, is also departing the BBC next year, as is Jackie Myburgh, controller of business.

Cheryl Taylor, CBBC’s controller, will take up the new position of head of content, which will replace both channel controller roles. She will oversee strategy and commissioning for content aimed at viewers up to the age of 16. Helen Bullough, head of CBBC production, will become the new overall head of production. She will be responsible for the in-house production teams of CBeebies and CBBC in Salford, as well as Children’s in Scotland.

Alice Webb, the director of BBC Children’s and BBC North, made these announcements in a note to staff members. In the fall, she will be looking to fill the new position of head of curation and discovery—discontinuing the head of interactive role—and head of business operations, which will replace the controller of business position.

Webb commented: “We’re hugely proud of the content and services that we already offer children in the U.K. but we know that their needs and demands are constantly changing. As we move to a more personalized, platform approach—something of the utmost importance for the whole of the BBC—we need a staff structure that can deliver this change. The departure of such significant leaders is clearly a watershed moment for BBC Children’s and I am truly indebted to each of them for the superb work they have brought to the department over the years.”

Benbow noted: “It has been a privilege to serve the BBC’s youngest audience as the controller of CBeebies—a job that has been my passion for the past seven years. It has been wonderful to work with such talented and dedicated people, both within the BBC and in the independent and international production communities. I am incredibly proud of the four BAFTA Children’s Channel of the Year awards as CBeebies has evolved into a multi-genre, multiplaform channel, offering our viewers and their families a rich, distinctive and inclusive range of content. It has been a pleasure to see such young children enjoy Shakespeare, ballets, CBeebies proms and our annual Christmas shows, alongside our drama, entertainment, factual and animation—all beautifully crafted for this most important audience.

“I have always said that the very young deserve the very best and I have strived to give them just that. It is my hope that CBeebies inspires them and makes a positive impact on their lives, helping to create happy, confident children.

“I leave with pride, knowing that CBeebies is in great shape, is loved by the audience and will go from strength to strength. CBeebies will always hold a special place in my heart and, whilst my departure is tinged with sadness, I will work to effect a smooth transition to the new structure over the coming months before taking some time to decide where next.”

Stewart added: “I have worked for 30 years in preschool content production, both in the BBC and in the independent sector. Over the past seven years, in my role as head of CBeebies in-house production, I’m immensely proud to have contributed to the outstanding success of the channel. It’s been an eventful time. I oversaw our move from London, built a strong, award-winning team in Salford and together we’ve grown the CBeebies in-house business year on year, with stand-out multiplatform successes in our arts strand, our factual and entertainment titles and our animated co-productions. I’m proud to have established new partnerships in the north of England and strengthened relationships with co-producers and organizations across the world.

“I have the utmost respect and admiration for the talented team I have led and for the on-screen performers who bring their work to life. I will spend the next months helping to establish the new structure in which they will work. I know that a combined children’s in-house production team will thrive and that the expertise of our preschool specialists will play a vital role in the continued success of the CBeebies channel.

“When I leave the BBC in 2018 it will be with mixed feelings of sadness and of pride. Meanwhile, I look forward to future creative associations with partners in the U.K. and abroad, who share my passion for producing the finest content for our youngest audience.”