Thames Taps New Creative Director & Director of Programs

The Fremantle label Thames has promoted Shona Baldwin to the post of creative director and Charlie Irwin to director of programs.

Reporting to Managing Director Amelia Brown, Baldwin, in her new role, will help lead the company’s overall creative strategy with a focus on developing its diverse slate of entertainment and factual-entertainment shows. Baldwin joined Thames in 2018 as director of development and has since helped to secure commissions across all channels and platforms, including Supermarket Sweep, Blockbusters, Rob Beckett’s Savage Socials, Family Fortunes and the forthcoming BBC One gameshow I Can See Your Voice.

Irwin, who will work closely alongside Brown, will oversee all Thames’ output, nurture new talent and continue to grow and build upon the company’s in the entertainment and fact-ent genres. A double BAFTA award-winning producer, Irwin began his career at Thames in 2004 on the first series of The X Factor. Since then, he has worked at many other independent production companies, producing shows including Saturday Night Takeaway, I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! and Sunday Night at the Palladium. Irwin returned to Thames in 2017 as executive producer of Britain’s Got Talent.

Brown said: “Shona and Charlie are so well-deserved of these promotions. They are invaluable members of the Thames family and I couldn’t think of two better people to oversee and develop our slate as we look ahead to the future.”

Baldwin commented: “Thames is an incredibly special place, and I couldn’t be more delighted to be taking up the new role as creative director. I look forward to leading the label’s creative strategy for our next generation of global hits.”

Irwin added: “I am beyond thrilled to be appointed director of programs at the company where I began my career. Thames is an incredible place—full of super talented and creative people and already has a very impressive slate. I want to continue to build on the success of these programs and create new exciting formats for viewers to enjoy.”