Rare TV Taps Studio Ramsay Global Alum

Fernando De Jesus has been appointed creative director at the indie factual, formats and documentary producer Rare TV.

De Jesus is charged with further developing the London-headquartered company’s output of popular factual programming. He previously served at Studio Ramsay Global, the production company founded by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay.

During his time at Studio Ramsay Global, De Jesus set the company’s strategy and creative direction, generating a string of global hits, including the relaunch of Kitchen Nightmares and Next Level Chef for FOX, among others.

In the past, the executive has worked as a consultant creative director for several indies and organizations to help them develop and drive creative strategies for a range of international projects. De Jesus has also spent time at ITV Studios working across a wide range of unscripted projects in production and development.

De Jesus is the third key creative to join Rare TV in the last six months. In May, story consultant and executive producer Greg Chivers was appointed to the newly created role of U.S. showrunner, while development producer Abigail Keyes joined the company’s Belfast-based team, reflecting Rare TV’s commitment to growing its presence in Northern Ireland.

Alexander Gardiner, CEO of Rare TV, commented: “Fernando has what we need to help deliver on our ambition to expand our output of landmark television and talent-driven factual—to refresh the parts other indies can’t reach, if you will. In a world that demands bigger and better, he is regarded as one of the most creative minds in television and, crucially, someone commissioners really enjoy working with. We want to tell real world stories with real people through must-watch popular factual, in line with our core belief that any story can change the world. Fernando is very clearly cut out to join us in that mission.”

De Jesus said: “My experience in talent-led entertainment and formats brings an aspect to Rare Television that will allow us to enhance the foundations and future proof ourselves in a rapidly changing broadcast environment. Rare already has a reputation for putting its people—its ‘smart storytellers’—at the heart of its business, giving them the support and creative freedom to deliver intelligent and entertaining factual content. I can’t wait to join them and make some magic.”