DLT Entertainment has appointed Jon Mountague to the newly created role of executive editor and given him the task of growing the indie’s out-of-London production.

Mountague, who previously headed BBC Comedy North, will develop scripted comedy and fact ent formats from a new, Manchester-based division. He will report directly to DLT president Don Taffner Jr.

Mountague joined BBC Comedy North as a producer in 2002, becoming executive producer in 2008, working on shows including Johnny Vegas hit Ideal and the We Are Klang.

Taffner said: “Jon’s experience in growing new talent both on and off-screen is exactly what we are looking for as we expand the business in the North of England.

“We see him as the perfect complement to our team which includes the recently appointed Rohan Acharya (producer of White Van Man) and John Bartlett (producer of My Family)”.

Mountague began his TV career as a researcher at Ginger Productions, working on TFI Friday.  He went on to work for a range of broadcasters and production companies including Channel 5, Talkback Thames and Mentorn.