Peter Salmon to make shock Endemol Shine move

In a move that potentially throws the BBC’s commercial production plan into turmoil, Salmon will become the super-indie’s chief creative officer, taking over many of the responsibilities of Tim Hincks, who is leaving the 21st Century Fox-backed group in March. He will leave the BBC at the end of May after a handover period.

Salmon will oversee Endemol Shine’s UK business, run by chief executive Richard Johnston and chief operating officer Lucinda Hicks, as well as its international formats division, Endemol Shine Creative Networks, run by Lisa Perrin. He will not, however, have oversight of the company’s US division, which previously reported to Hincks.

Salmon said the opportunity was “simply irresistible”. He added: “I’ve already had the privilege of working with many of the production companies under the Endemol Shine umbrella in the UK and I’m a great admirer of shows created by the group globally.

“It’s an incredibly talented international team, which I can’t wait to join and collaborate with on bringing content to screens and audiences across the world.”

He explained that it felt like an “appropriate” time to leave, having helped BBC Studios through its first “phase”. “I look forward to working over the next couple of months to ensure there are strong foundations and a thorough handover,” Salmon added.

Endemol Shine Group chief executive Sophie Turner Laing said: “Peter is a true creative champion. His profound understanding of the creative process and respect for talent comes with an avid desire to reach audiences.

“His experience will be invaluable as we look to the future having successfully united our global business over the last year, and his enthusiasm for the new role is infectious. We look forward to welcoming him to the fold.”

Salmon has spent the past decade at the BBC, the last six months of which have been at BBC Studios. He had already made significant progress towards shaping the BBC Studios structure, putting in place the majority of his top team. This was ahead of BBC Studios being spun into its own division within the public service before it is commercialised next year.

The BBC said Salmon’s successor will be announced “in the coming weeks”. Director general Tony Hall said: “I know that this job at Endemol Shine is one that Peter felt he couldn’t turn down. He has been a great servant of the BBC and I am sure he will be hugely successful in his new role.”

Salmon oversaw the BBC’s move to Salford as BBC England director and other roles at the corporation included being BBC1 controller and director of vision productions.