Leon Wilson, the former Talkback and Thames Managing Director and co-founder of Great Scott Media, has been appointed as CEO of Banijay UK labels Shine and Zeppotron.
His appointment follows news earlier this month that Shine TV’s Managing Director Jon Swain’s is stepping down from his role at the end of the year.
Wilson is tasked with the management of Shine, developing and broadening the range of its original IP, as well as overseeing its slate including BBC’s MasterChef, Hunted and Celebrity Hunted and new Channel 4’s Banged Up.
Wilson will work with Creative Director Tim Whitwell, MasterChef Executive Producer David Ambler and the wider Shine team.
Meanwhile, Zeppotron Managing Directors Ruth Phillips and Peter Holmes will work closely with Wilson as they push into the streamer market and also produce existing brands such as BBC One’s Would I Lie to You? and Channel 4’s 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.
Patrick Holland, CEO Banijay UK said: “As well as being a brilliant creative, Leon has phenomenal amounts of energy, enthusiasm, and insight. I’m so delighted that he’s chosen Banijay for the next chapter of his impressive career and I know that the teams in Shine and Zeppotron will benefit greatly from his expertise.”
Wilson added: “I can’t wait to start in this new role and work with the fantastically talented teams at Shine and Zeppotron. I love prisons, being hunted, eating, lying and four fifths of cats … as well as winning new commissions. It’s literally a dream come true.”
Wilson was Managing Director of Talkback, followed by Managing Director of a combined Talkback and Thames between 2013 and 2019.
Most recently, Wilson founded Great Scott Media with Ed Sleeman backed by All3 Media.
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