Shake-up of BBC execs

Jon Plowman has been named the BBC’s new head of comedy, and has set up a new board to develop programmes.

He was previously head of comedy entertainment and his list of credits as producer includes Absolutely Fabulous, Little Britain and the League Of Gentlemen.

The board he has set up will meet weekly to look at new projects and report on programmes in development.

It includes Armando Iannucci, as well as BBC executives Kenton Allen, Michael Jacob, Jo Sargent, Mob Dar and Caroline Wright.

Plowman told trade magazine Broadcast: ‘I wanted to make a number of creative heads who will have a small number of producers working for them.

‘It's a bit like a law firm, where there's a head of the firm, and then lawyers each handling their own cases.’

Plowman previously shared responsibility for the BBC’s comedy output with executive Sophie Clarke-Jervoise, who has left to join independent production house Tiger Aspect.

The board’s roles are:

• Kenton Allen:New talent development and projects out of London
• Mob Dar: Head of new comedy
• Michael Jacob: Mainstream comedy editor
• Jo Sargent: Head of comedy entertainment.
• Caroline Wright: comedy entertainment editor

Published: 6 Oct 2005