Heggessey named CEO of talkbackTHAMES

FremantleMedia has named Lorraine Heggessey, currently Controller of BBC One, to the position of CEO, talkbackTHAMES, one of the UK’s leading independent producers of drama and entertainment programming.
Heggessey will replace outgoing CEO Peter Fincham, who announced last month that he would be leaving the company after 20 years. Heggessey will oversee FremantleMedia’s entire UK production arm, which is responsible for a diverse and popular range of programming including 'The Bill', 'The X Factor', 'Green Wing', 'How Clean Is Your House?', 'The Lost Prince', 'Never Mind The Buzzcocks' and 'Bo Selecta!' Heggessey will join talkbackTHAMES later this year and will report to Tony Cohen, CEO of FremantleMedia.
Commenting on the appointment, Tony Cohen said: “We are thrilled to have secured such an outstanding and respected television executive as Lorraine Heggessey to lead our growing UK production business and talented talkbackTHAMES team. With her knowledge and instincts as a top broadcaster together with her extensive production experience, she will be a tremendous asset to the company and to FremantleMedia worldwide.”
Peter Fincham added: “It's a great appointment. I'm sure talkbackTHAMES under Lorraine Heggessey will be a different place and an exciting place. Lorraine will bring a new burst of energy and lots of fresh ideas. I wish her well.”
Lorraine Heggessey said: “After almost five years as Controller of BBC One, I feel I am ready for a new challenge and could not pass up the opportunity to join one of the UK’s most respected production companies. I have had a wonderful time at BBC One working with some of the best talent both in front of and behind the camera, but with the terms of trade putting independent producers in greater control of their rights, this is an exciting time to move back into the UK’s independent sector. Peter Fincham has built up a fantastic portfolio of programmes with some of the most creative people in UK television. I look forward to making ground-breaking must-watch TV with them in the future.”
(GB)