BBC Studios Productions CEO Ralph Lee is leaving the BBC’s commercial arm in April after almost six years with the business to pursue a new challenge outside the organisation.
The former Channel 4 Deputy Chief Creative Officer joined BBC Studios as Director Content in 2018.
In that time, he has overseen the production business’s portfolio that includes Strictly Come Dancing, Happy Valley 3, EastEnders, Doctor Who, Prehistoric Planet, Good Omens, The Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final, Planet Earth III and The Coronation of King Charles III.
BBC Studios is the single biggest supplier of content to the BBC, and also makes third-party commissions for other broadcasters and platforms including Apple TV+, Amazon, Netflix, Channel 4, UKTV, Discovery and Disney +
In 2022, Lee was promoted to CEO of BBC Studios Productions when the company created a single content division for its Scripted, Factual, Global Entertainment and Kids & Family productions, talent relationships and content investment. The move saw him assume oversight of BBC Studios’ production labels and invested indies including House Productions, Lookout Point, Clerkenwell, Voltage TV, Sid Gentle Films and Firebird Pictures as well as BBC Studios’ international production operations in the US, France, India, Australia, and the Nordics.
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Tom Fussell, CEO of BBC Studios, said: “Ralph’s leadership has been a gamechanger for our production business, taking BBC Studios to creative and award-winning heights in every genre, both domestically and internationally. His calm stewardship through and out of the Covid pandemic was invaluable and he’s attracted outstanding talent like Kate Ward, Rich Knight and Cecilia Persson to our organisation, whilst overseeing global expansion and growth among our production units, labels and invested indies. However, it’s the deeply personal approach and investment Ralph’s brought to our programme-making culture that will best sum up his legacy here. I want to thank him enormously for his contributions and wish him the best of luck in his next adventure.”
Lee commented: “It’s been an absolute privilege to lead BBC Studios Productions for six fulfilling years however, after an incredibly busy but hugely successful 2023, I started to think about what was next for me professionally. As hard as it is to leave such an inspiring business and colleagues who are pioneers in their respective creative and craft fields, I feel now is the right time to explore other opportunities. I’d like to thank all the fantastic production teams across BBC Studios for making this such an enriching and rewarding experience.“
BBC Studios has begun a search for Lee’s successor.
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