True North has hired former BBC Exec Kieron Collins as its new Head of Entertainment.
Collins, who until recently was Managing Editor, BBC Entertainment North, will take up his new role later this month, as the indie prepares for the anticipated growth in Out-of-London production.
In addition, True North’s existing Executive Producer, Fiona O’Sullivan will take on the role of Head of Factual Entertainment and Reality while continuing to run the indie’s Manchester base.
Collins’ credits include A Question of Sport, Dragons’ Den and Mastermind as well as co-developing and exec producing the BBC One daytime quiz The Boss.
Most recently he created and then exec produced the peak time Saturday night tribute act show ‘Even Better Than The Real Thing’ for BBC One and the 4 x 120’ ‘Top of the Box’ archive series for Channel 5, one of the first ‘out of house’ commissions for BBC Studios.
Collins’s brief is to build the company’s entertainment slate across a range of broadcasters.
True North Creative Director, Andrew Sheldon, said: ‘We’re delighted to have Kieron on board. He’s an experienced business winner and exec who is committed to developing talent and production in the North, and is ideally placed to exploit the industry’s call out for new entertainment shows’.
Collins said: “True North have built a hugely successful business on a genuine commitment to out-of-London production, creating global content from the North of England. On top of that, they’re lovely people. And they have a drinks trolley in the office every Friday. It’s a dream job”.
O’Sullivan joined True North in 2011 and has created and exec produced a range of True North fact ent and reality shows including Teen Mom UK for MTV and The Lie Detective for Channel 4.
She said: ‘It’s a really exciting time for True North with both our Leeds and Manchester sites in rude health. Key talent like Kieron will help us secure the next phase of growth for the company in new areas and we are delighted to welcome him on board.
Previously O’Sullivan worked at the BBC, Channel 4, ITV and, as Head of Factual, at Lime Pictures where she helped create and launch hit shows TOWIE and Geordie Shore.
Jon Creamer
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