ROWLAND TAKES UP NEW POST AT BBC

ALAN Yentob, BBC Director of Drama, Entertainment and Children’s, has moved to “focus and strengthen the management of the production powerhouse” with the appointment of Jan Rowland as Chief Operating Officer.
Rowland, who is currently Director of Legal and Business Affairs and Company Secretary of the Media and Entertainment Division of United Broadcasting and Entertainment Limited, will take up the newly created role from November 27.
Rowland said: “There is no area of the media industry currently undergoing such fundamental organisational and creative renewal than the BBC, so I could not be joining at a better time. The Drama, Entertainment and Children’s division is very much the creative heart, and this new job extends beyond strictly legal and business affairs to take in a much more diverse portfolio of responsibilities. I am really excited to have been offered this enormous challenge.”
As Chief Operating Office, Rowland will act as Yentob’s deputy on managerial issues and will lead and co-ordinate finance, production management and commercial and business affairs across the Drama, Entertainment and Children’s Division.
Yentob said: “The Drama, Entertainment and Children’s division is in the first stages of an incredibly exciting period of creative and energetic growth, which will help drive the future success of the BBC’s services. Jan’s formidable legal, business and negotiating powers, not to mention her production experience, will be invaluable in helping us to deliver that vision. I am delighted that she agreed to take on this crucial role as we work to combine building the business with delivering planned efficiency initiatives.”
Rowland’s key responsibilities as Chief Operating Officer will be the management of financial processes, production management and planning. This includes the development of commercial opportunities and new income streams, Drama, Entertainment and Children’s rights issues and programme services. (CMcL)