Category: Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ; Factual & Arts TV
Date: 05.07.2006
Printable version
The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's Director of Factual and Learning John Willis is to step down from the
organisation after three years, it was announced today.
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Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Director-General Mark Thompson said: "John is one of the most respected
creative leaders in British broadcasting.
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"At the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ, he has presided over
groundbreaking programmes like Planet Earth, The Secret Policeman and the launch
of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ jam.
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"As a member of the Executive Direction Group he has been a key figure
in helping shape the direction of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's Creative Future content strategy.
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"I am grateful to John for the work he has done in strengthening and simplifying
F&L. I fully support the changes he and his colleagues have made there.
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"As we
shape Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ production to deliver Creative Future we intend to build on the strong
base John has laid.
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"We talked about various roles for John as we begin to implement Creative Future
but he has decided to take the opportunity to retire from the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ and pursue
other avenues. We all wish him the very best."
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John Willis said: "My three years here have been book-ended by two of the most
important programmes the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ has made in the last 20 years, The Secret
Policeman and Planet Earth, as well as many brilliant programmes in between
including Live 8, Dunkirk and Auschwitz.
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"We have also established F&L as
world class producers of digital content across new platforms and launched a new
era in schools broadcasting with Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ jam.
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"This marvellous content has been produced despite almost continuous change.
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"Now that the organisation is also planning a Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ-wide restructure, I believe
this is the right time for me to retire from the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ, although certainly not
from broadcasting.
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"The full benefits of the new F&L structure are becoming clearer and the
division is in good shape for the future.
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"The foundations are very strong and I
know that I have left the division a more coherent and creative place than when
I arrived.
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"For myself, I recently became External Ombudsman for the Guardian
but I fully intend to continue my main career in broadcasting."
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John Willis began his career as a documentary maker at Yorkshire Television
winning awards for ground-breaking programmes like Johnny Go Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ and Rampton - the Secret Hospital.
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He later edited the innovative documentary strand First
Tuesday.
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As Channel 4's Controller of Factual Programmes he created successful new
strands like Cutting Edge, True Stories and Secret History.
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As Director of
Programmes he oversaw the production of innovative series like Father Ted and
Rory Bremner, and film successes like Four Weddings and a Funeral and
Trainspotting.
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He also guided Channel 4's entry into schools broadcasting and
was Chairman of Channel 4 Learning.
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After Channel 4, John became Chief Executive of United Productions where he
built a fast-growing production division including Hornblower and Oliver Twist.
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When Granada bought United, he was appointed Managing Director of London Weekend
and United Productions.
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In 2001, he won the prestigious Royal Television Society Gold Medal for
Creative Contribution to Television.
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He became Vice President in charge of National Programming at WGBH in Boston,
the biggest station in the public service network in the United States, before
joining the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ in April 2003.
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Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Press Office
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