Banijay has hired BBC Director, Factual, Arts & Classical Music, Patrick Holland, as Banijay UK’s Executive Chairman.
The news comes on the same day as the announcement that current Banijay UK exec chair, Peter Salmon, is stepping down from the role following the completion of the integration of Endemol Shine into the business.
Holland begins his new role at the beginning of Q2. He will lead the UK’s portfolio of 20 premium unscripted and scripted production labels, which comprises Dragonfly, IWC, Kudos, RDF, Remarkable, Shine TV, Tiger Aspect, Workerbee, Yellow Bird UK and Zeppotron.
Banijay UK CEO, Lucinda Hicks, will report to Holland, and will work alongside him, continuing to grow the UK business. As Executive Chairman, he will report to Banijay’s Chief Executive Officer, Marco Bassetti, while working closely in-territory with group COO, Peter Langenberg.
Marco Bassetti, Banijay comments: “With unrivalled knowledge of the UK market following a hybrid producer/commissioner career, Patrick couldn’t be better placed to take on the reins of the business and join our global collective of creative entrepreneurs. Sitting at the helm of a portfolio of best-in-class talent, there is huge opportunity to further grow the pipeline of premium programming and build on Banijay UK’s existing track record – we look forward to seeing the local group further soar under his direction.”
Holland added: “Banijay UK represents an extraordinary group of companies, led by some of the very best creatives in the business, so it is hugely exciting to be asked to take on this challenge. The range and quality produced across the labels is unparalleled and, together with the hugely talented Lucinda Hicks, I’ll do all I can to help their continued growth and development. I’ve had six wonderful years as a commissioner at the BBC, but the scope and ambition of the new role made the return to production irresistible.”
Holland became Director of Factual, Arts & Classical Music in April 2021. Previously, from March 2017, he was Channel Controller of BBC Two, following his earlier appointment as Channel Editor in July 2016.
During his time at BBC Two he oversaw history and documentary output including Once Upon a Time in Iraq, The Detectives, Hospital, Murder 24/7, The Rise of the Murdoch Dynasty, House of Assad, Blair and Brown, 9/11 Inside the President’s War Room, The Last Survivors and Forensics and worked with commissioning teams to develop a raft of factual entertainment successes, rejuvenating Top Gear and Sewing Bee with Joe Lycett, Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr and Race Across the World).
BBC Two also saw a rejuvenation of its scripted and entertainment titles. Motherland, Alma’s Not Normal, The Other One and Don’t Forget the Driver were major comedy commissions. Mash Report, Frankie Boyle’s New World Order and The Ranganation represented a refresh of the comedy entertainment titles on the channel. In drama,titles included Motherfatherson, Black Earth Rising, The Salisbury Poisonings and Giri/Haji.
Prior to joining BBC Two, Holland was Head of Commissioning, Documentaries. During his tenure new returning brands Ambulance, Reported Missing, The Real Marigold Hotel and Hospital were all developed and commissioned. Exodus; Our Journey to Europe won the BAFTA, RTS and Peabody Awards.
Before joining the broadcaster, he was managing director of Boundless (part of Fremantle Media UK) and prior to that, Director of Factual at Ricochet. In 2020 he was the Advisory Chair of the Edinburgh International Television Festival.
Jon Creamer
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