Kate Phillips
The BBC has appointed Kate Phillips as its new Chief Content Officer. Director-General Tim Davie confirmed the news to staff today, following a competitive recruitment process. Phillips was appointed interim Chief Content Officer after Charlotte Moore announced earlier this year that she was leaving the BBC to join Left Bank Pictures and Sony Pictures Television. She has spent 12 years at the BBC. Most recently, as Director of Unscripted, she has been responsible for many of the BBC’s top-performing shows, including "Strictly Come Dancing," "The Traitors," and "Gladiators."
Announcing the news to staff, Director-General Tim Davie said: “Kate’s passion for delivering world-class content to our all audiences shines through in everything she does. Her experience with the BBC spans over 12 years and in that time she has brought innovation, outstanding creativity, and an absolute focus on our audiences. She has a fantastic record of delivering creative hits which embody the best of the BBC."
Phillips said: “Over the past few months, I have thoroughly enjoyed being more involved in the huge breadth of brilliant content that we produce across the UK and, of course, it’s been great getting to know so many new people. This is one of the best roles in the business at an incredible organization and I can’t wait to get started.”
Phillips was also the last Controller of BBC One, overseeing a huge slate of programs across drama, comedy, arts, and music, all of factual, current affairs, daytime, sport, and entertainment. Before that, she was Controller, Entertainment where she oversaw the entertainment strategy across BBC television and iPlayer, where she commissioned more than 500 hours of original programming a year. Her extensive TV career also includes Creative Director of Formats for BBC Worldwide, as well as a creator and producer of many shows for a variety of broadcasters.