Rupert Majendie lands leadership role as Sarah Monteith steps down
Baby Cow Productions’ chief executive Sarah Monteith has left the company, paving the way for development head Rupert Majendie to step up as chief creative officer, Broadcast can reveal.
Stepping into the newly created role at the BBC Studios label, Majendie will work closely with founder Steve Coogan to lead the company’s creative direction across comedy and drama, film, digital and audio. His role is an effective replacement of Monteith’s previous position.
Monteith, who stepped back a few weeks ago, has served as chief executive for the past five years and has transformed the label in that time by winning high-profile and award-winning comedy and drama commissions.
The former BBC Studios chief marketing officer said: “I came into Baby Cow as a fan and focused on taking the company into a new era. I’m immensely proud of the team we’ve built and our commissioning success over the last five years.
“So, it’s a good time for me to step back, and I’m so pleased to pass the baton to Rupert – he will be brilliant.”
Majendie joined the label in 2019 and most recently developed and produced the film The Ballad of Wallis Island, which premiered at Sundance, as well as Rob Brydon sitcom Bill’s Included for BBC1.
His Baby Cow exec producer credits include dramas Brian & Maggie and Chivalry for Channel 4, Alan Carr’s comedy Changing Ends for ITV, Live at the Moth Club for U&Dave and the upcoming new series of Alan Partridge and Guz Khan Christmas comedy Stuffed for BBC1.
He said: “It’s a huge privilege to step up into this role at a company I love. Baby Cow has always championed bold, brilliant voices and unexpected storytelling and that spirit feels more vital than ever. I’m excited to build on what we’ve started, alongside Steve and our incredible team, as we shape the next chapter across comedy and drama.”
Coogan added: “Fresh off the back of his success with The Ballad of Wallis Island, Rupert is the perfect person to spearhead the creative direction of Baby Cow. Respected by artists and commissioners alike, he attracts the smart talent, he knows how to marry comedy with drama and vice versa. We’re glad to have him.”
Baby Cow is also behind BBC comedies Gavin & Stacey, The Trip, Uncle and The Mighty Boosh. BBCS has been its majority owner since 2016, with Coogan remaining a shareholder.
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