Jeff Ford is to return to the UK to take up the role of managing director of Fox International Channels UK.

The former Channel 5 content boss has left Irish broadcaster TV3, where he has been director of programmes since January 2013.

Ford said that he had always intended to leave TV3 by the end of 2015 but that the birth of his first grandchild in January brought forward these plans.

During his stint in Ireland, Ford commissioned a raft of original series including Company Pictures and Element Pictures-produced soap Red Rock and Alaska TV-produced Oysters, as well as a local adaptation of Gogglebox.

He will look after a portfolio of Fox-backed channels including Fox, which airs series including The Walking Dead and American Dad, and Nat Geo.

“It is with great sadness that I leave TV3. It’s been a wonderful period and now is such an exciting time for the group with so many impressive plans in the schedule for 2015 and beyond,” said Ford.

TV3 expects to confirm Ford’s replacement by March.

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