BBCS's O'Callaghan to lead new Boom senior team

Tim Carter, Managing Director, ITV Studios, UK Unscripted, has announced key appointments to the leadership team for the Wales-based production label, Boom.

Siân O’Callaghan joins as Managing Director from BBC Studios where she held the post of Director of Production for Drama, Comedy and Fiction, responsible for long-running series including EastEnders, Silent Witness, Father Brown, Casualty, Death Valley and Pobol y Cwm.

O’Callaghan is tasked with devising Boom’s creative and business strategy as well as building on its reputation as a champion of both Welsh and English language content. As well as her drama experience, O’Callaghan has a background in news, current affairs and factual content and brings more than 30 years’ editorial, production and business operations experience to her new role as MD.

O’Callaghan takes over from Nia Thomas who stepped down from the role as MD at the end of March after 26 years with the company, including 14 as Managing Director.

Joining her in the newly created role of Creative Director is BAFTA Executive Producer Louise Allen. Allen has worked across some of the biggest reality entertainment brands including The Only Way is Essex, Love Island, I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! and Gogglebox. She has developed and executive produced major unscripted hits including Netflix’s Too Hot to Handle, Battle Camp and Squid Game: The Challenge, which won the BAFTA for Best Reality Series. In her new role, Allen will lead Boom’s creative strategy focusing on expanding its original unscripted programming for streamers and UK broadcasters.

Rachel Evans has been promoted to Creative Director. Evans was previously Director of Programmes and interim MD and has been integral to expanding Boom’s slate as an executive producer including shows such as Men Up for the BBC, Creisis (Crisis) and 35 Diwrnod (35 Days) for S4C and unscripted content such as Y Llais (The Voice), The Royal Welsh Show Live OB (both S4C) and Hot Cakes for BBC Wales/BBC iplayer.

In her new role, Evans will lead Boom’s creative strategy focusing on Welsh language and also scripted programming, overseeing Boom’s extensive S4C slate spanning factual, entertainment, kids, digital and drama – while partnering with Allen to expand the label’s broader reach.

Both Allen and Evans will report to O’Callaghan.

“Securing first-class creative leaders like Siân O’Callaghan and Louise Allen to join Rachel Evans reflects the ambitions of Boom,” said Tim Carter, Managing Director Unscripted, UK. “Siân’s strategic expertise in managing some of the UK’s most iconic drama series, combined with Louise’s track record in delivering global hits and Rachel’s deep understanding of Welsh language multi-genre and scripted content, is a game-changing combination and positions Boom perfectly to continue expanding its slate.

“Whilst we welcome Siân and Louise, I would like to thank Nia Thomas for her incredible contribution to Boom, she has been an integral part of the company’s success and I wish her all the very best with her future endeavours.”

O’Callaghan comments: “It’s an honour to join the brilliant people of Boom to become MD of such a successful production powerhouse. The company has flair, drive, creativity and imagination and has built an enviable reputation for delivering outstanding content. I am hugely excited to join a team of such calibre which can deliver ITV Studios’ ambition for Boom. The time is right for a new challenge and I’m delighted to be leading Boom into the next phase of its development and success.”

Allen adds: “Joining Boom at this moment feels exactly right. The creative foundations are exceptional and the opportunity to build bold, globally ambitious unscripted formats from here is one I couldn’t pass up. I’ve spent my career making shows built to travel, and I can’t wait to bring that experience and drive to this next chapter.”

Evans continues: “I’m passionate about Boom, its people and its outstanding track-record in devising, creating and delivering multi-genre content in Welsh and English for the past 30 years. Siân and Louise bring extensive and exceptional leadership and production experience, and we look forward to warmly welcoming them both to the company to help us build on its reputation as a leading production label from Wales to the world.”