VICE Studios UK Hires Director of Unscripted Development

VICE Studios UK has appointed Steven Bricknall, who previously held roles at Darlow Smithson and Studio Lambert, as director of unscripted development, a newly created post.

Reporting to VICE Studios’ U.K. creative director, Yonni Usiskin, Bricknall will be responsible for leading the production arm’s development slate of factual and factual-entertainment content across the U.K., as well as delivering a strategy for the business’ continued expansion and driving new business. He will head up pitches to global commissioners of networks and SVOD platforms and coordinate activity with VICE Studios’ U.S. and international offices.

Bricknall has held development roles within indies such as Darlow Smithson, where he was head of development, as well as Princess Productions, Studio Lambert and the BBC.

Usiskin said: “Steven’s appointment marks an important step in VICE Studios’ success and development. We are sending a signal that we are growing our business and consolidating our reputation for creating gripping, award-winning unscripted content for audiences around the world. Steven brings an impressive track record in creating and delivering television hits as well as driving new business. He will be well supported by the team including Lexi [Rose], whose time with us has seen her build on her experience and help deliver some of our most noteworthy titles. I can’t think of two better people to take the business forward.”

Bricknall added: “It’s an incredibly exciting time to be joining VICE Studios as they embark on this ambitious new phase in the business. Yonni and his team have built a brilliant reputation as innovative, insightful and exciting program-makers; I’m looking forward to continuing their good work and to creating the next generation of returnable factual and factual-entertainment hits with VICE’s unique tone and disruptive sensibility.”

Additionally, Lexi Rose has been promoted within the company to the role of development exec.