SPT expands its international production leadership team

Sony Pictures Television has made a major addition to its international production division, appointing ITV Media & Entertainment chief operating officer Sarah Clarke to a senior role. 

Clarke has been named executive vice-president of business affairs, international production at SPT, reporting directly to president of international production, Wayne Garvie. 

She will become part of international production group’s leadership team alongside Matthew Justice, EVP, head of UK & Europe, and Charlotte Moore, who is EVP, creative director, SPT International Productions and Left Bank Pictures chief executive.  

Based in London, Clarke will lead the business affairs team covering the UK, EMEA, LatAm and APAC with responsibility and oversight of negotiation, structuring and management of the group’s development, production, financing, and distribution operation.  

She will also provide strategic business affairs leadership to SPT’s international production labels, including domestic outfits Left Bank Pictures, Bad Wolf, Eleventh Hour Films and Stellify, as well as Australia’s Curio, and Brazil’s Floresta. 

She will join the team in early 2027. 

Clarke has been chief operating officer at ITV’s media and entertainment division since 2020, having worked for the company for 16 years. Her previous roles included director of legal and business affairs, channels, and she took on broader responsibility across broadcast and online in 2018/ 

Garvie said: “A flexible, fast moving and strategic business affairs function is vital as we continue to grow our international television business amidst continual change and flux.  

“I’m delighted that the brilliant Sarah Clarke has decided to come on board and help steer our ship. Her experience, expertise, and exuberance, mean she is going to be a vital part of our senior team here in London and a huge asset for our labels across the globe. We can’t wait to welcome her.” 

Clarke said she was excited to be joining “such a talented, well-respected team at SPT”.  

Supporting the senior team, labels and business affairs as they continue to drive international production’s impressive growth – and navigate this fascinating moment of change and possibility for the industry – is an irresistible opportunity.  

“After 16 wonderful years working alongside some of the best in the business at ITV, I’m ready for my next adventure, and I can’t wait to get started.” 

At ITV, chief strategy officer Samir Ahmad will become interim chief operating officer, M&E from 1 October. 

ITV M&E managing director Kevin Lygo paid tribute to Clarke: “Over the course of her exceptional career at ITV, Sarah has proven herself to be a deeply respected leader and one of our best commercial and legal minds. We will miss her insight but we are genuinely delighted for her as she joins Wayne and the senior team at Sony.”

“We are incredibly fortunate to have someone of Samir’s calibre ready to step into this role, when Sarah departs. Samir is a huge talent, already well-known and highly regarded by teams right across the company.”