Former BBC Studios and C4 exec to step into role vacated by Richard McKerrow
Former BBC Studios and Channel 4 senior creative Ralph Lee has been appointed chief executive of The Great British Bake Off and The Piano indie Love Productions, Broadcast can reveal.
He will lead the Sky-owned company from next week, as it reinstates the role of chief executive, following co-founder Richard McKerrow’s decision to step down after two decades earlier this year.
Manging director Letty Kavanagh, who has been running the company alongside creative director Kieran Smith and executive editor Simon Evans, has decided to leave Love.
Alongside The Great British Bake Off franchise, Love Productions produces myriad popular UK formats including; The Piano and The Great Pottery Throw Down, both for C4 and BBC2’s The Great British Sewing Bee.
The news was announced to the indie’s staff in a memo by Cécile Frot-Coutaz, chief content officer and chief exec of Sky Studios, seen by Broadcast.
“I am really delighted that Ralph has accepted this position. He is one of the UK’s most respected creative leaders, with a proven track record at BBC Studios and Channel 4,” Frot-Coutaz wrote.
“Ralph’s experience combining creative excellence with global commercial expansion, and values-driven leadership, makes him uniquely qualified to step-in and take Love Productions into a new era. It is a hugely exciting time for the company and the perfect opportunity to build on the success of the company so far.
“He has worked across drama, comedy and entertainment but, like you all, is deeply rooted in unscripted television and I’m sure he will be an invaluable complement to this team and expand on the brilliant work already happening at Love.”
She also paid tribute to the long-serving Kavanagh.
“Letty has played a huge role in the success of Love Productions and on behalf of Sky and myself, I’d like to take this moment to thank her for her passionate and dedicated leadership.”
Most recently, Lee was chief exec of BBCS Productions, which saw the company achieve record levels of award recognition and substantially grow its third-party commissions with global streamers.
He originally joined BBC in 2018 as director of content, having previously been at Channel 4 where he held commissioning roles including head of factual and head of specialist factual and also served as deputy chief creative officer.
Lee said: “I’ve long been an admirer of Love Productions and their fantastic range of programmes that are so loved by audiences in the UK and beyond.
“Having worked closely with the team during my time at Channel 4, I know first-hand the strength of their creativity and commitment. I’m very happy to be stepping in to explore new opportunities for the future.”
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