JOHN HAY AND NICOLA HILL NAMED NEW CEOS OF ITV STUDIOS’ THE GARDEN

The two executives have worked closely for three years, and will continue to oversee the company as it delivers its largest-ever slate. Nicole Brown, who previously served as Director of Programs, has also received a promotion to Creative Director.

27 APR 2021

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ITV Studios' The Garden has announced that Chief Executive and Co-Founder Magnus Temple will departure from the company.  Nicola Hill and John Hay will succeed Temple, serving as joint CEOs. Temple will remain with the company for several months in a consultancy role, and to see through ongoing projects. “It's typical of Magnus's leadership that he's not only lined up a seamless succession plan in Nicola and John but also leaves The Garden in such good shape with an incredibly strong team and a really exciting creative pipeline,” Julian Bellamy, Managing Director, ITV Studios said.

Meanwhile, Nicola Brown, who joined the ITV Studios company as Director of Programmes just over a year ago, has been promoted to Creative Director. Her new role is an expansion through which she will oversee all development and delivery aspects across The Garden’s growing capabilities. Brown and Hay have worked together closely for three years.“I’ve enjoyed my first year at The Garden under Magnus’ leadership immensely and will miss his wise words and kind support,” Nicola Brown, Creative Director, said. “It’s a real privilege to be working with John, Nicola, and our brilliantly talented team as we enter the next chapter and I’m delighted to be taking on this newly expanded role at such an exciting time for the company.”

This year, the company has committed to delivering its production slate, currently producing two series with Simon Reeve for BBC Two, is currently in the edit on a series of 24 Hours in A&E shot during the pandemic, and later this year will deliver new episodes of 24 Hours in Police Custody, which has been enjoying record ratings. It has also been commissioned to make a major new medical format for Channel 4, shooting this summer. “This is a great time to be a company specializing in premium factual, and with our expanding slate and the new energy and expertise Nicola Brown has brought, we’ve really opened up new pathways. So we’re excited to see where we can go next,” John Hay and Nicola Hill said.

After working to expand its slate and global presence, The Garden’s Leeds office will become the new home of 24 Hours in A&E and another new popular factual format, which will be announced at a later time. Its first series will also launch this year in the US for Discovery and Channel 4.  The company has established its Yorkshire base and a company talent fund to give minorities a shot at directing, edit producing, line producing, and SP-ing.

It's typical of Magnus's leadership that he's not only lined up a seamless succession plan in Nicola and John but also leaves The Garden in such good shape with an incredibly strong team and a really exciting creative pipeline.” Julian Bellamy Managing Director, ITV Studios