Mothership adds new commercial boss from BBC NHU

Mothership Productions, the BBC Studios-backed unscripted indie set up by former Channel 4 Deputy Director of Programmes Kelly Webb-Lamb, has appointed Donna Gomes as Director of Commercial and Business Affairs.

Gomes joins Mothership from the BBC Studios Natural History Unit, where she was Head of Commercial, Rights and Business Affairs. She led the team responsible for negotiating and contracting major global content commissions with a range of international broadcasters, streamers and co-production partners, including the BBC, BBC America, Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, National Geographic and PBS for titles such as Frozen Planet II, Green Planet, Planet Earth 3 and OceanXPlorers.

Reporting to founder and CEO, Kelly Webb—Lamb, Gomes will drive Mothership’s commercial strategy, working closely with the creative leads to ensure the best commercial deals, and leading on business affairs and legal matters.

Mothership Productions’ Founder Kelly Webb-Lamb said: “Donna brings with her huge experience in delivering ambitious creative content to the global market, and I am so impressed with her hunger and drive to be commercially creative and robust. We are all looking forward to her joining the Mothership senior team where I know her calm presence and steely backbone will be enthusiastically welcomed”.

Donna Gomes said: “I have huge admiration for Kelly, Charlotte, Gilly and Gudren. To be joining them at Mothership is the perfect next step for me after a very fulfilling time at BBC Studios. Mothership is at the start of an exciting journey, and I am impressed by the vision. I look forward to joining the team in the New Year to help shape the company’s commercial growth strategy and culture.”

Gomes has over twenty years’ experience specialising in on-air talent and commercial rights negotiation, intellectual property law, contract law, and business affairs across a range of output and genres. She was also a BBC Group Senior Leadership Team Adviser, bringing diversity of thought to the BBC’s executive decision-making.