Channel 4 Hires Factual-Entertainment Head

LONDON: Channel 4 has appointed former Shine exec Kelly Webb-Lamb as its head of factual entertainment, a new position that is effective in September.

Webb-Lamb will work under Liam Humphreys, whose title becomes head of entertainment. She will be responsible for the channel’s factual-entertainment output, developing established brands and managing upcoming projects. She will collaborate with Humphreys on delivering innovative, entertaining series that offer fresh perspectives on contemporary issues.

Commissioning Editors Ian Dunkley, Lucy Leveugle and Danny Carvalho will report to Webb-Lamb, who resigned as managing director of Shine in October 2015. During her four years at Shine, she contributed to the success of The Island with Bear Grylls and Hunted, among other factual programming. Earlier in her career, Webb-Lamb served as the creative director of factual entertainment at Princess and series editor on The Apprentice.

Humphreys commented: “I have worked closely with Kelly in recent years in her role at Shine, so I know first-hand what a bold, creative and instinctively brilliant program-maker Kelly is. I am delighted to be bringing her unique talents into the team.”

Webb-Lamb added: “I am cock-a-hoop to be given the chance to join Channel 4 as head of factual entertainment. It’s a department I know and love and I cannot wait to work with Liam and the team on the other side of the fence to build the best factual-entertainment department imaginable.”

The head of factual entertainment role is part of Channel 4’s merged factual-entertainment and entertainment teams, led by Humphreys, which will now be known as the entertainment department. Ben Caudell’s title becomes head of comedy entertainment. He will continue to be responsible for the division’s non-factual entertainment slate.