ITV poaches Eyeworks exec to run Swedish producer Silverback

UK-based producer and distributor ITV Studios has poached Eyeworks’ creative director Hans Engholm to run its Swedish production company Silverback.

He replaces Anna Carrfors Bråkenhielm who stepped down as CEO last May. Veronica Sundin who has been acting CEO at Silverback will revert to her previous position of COO when Engholm joins the company.

ITV acquired Silverback for an initial £5.2 million in May 2008. At the time it said additional payments of up to £8.8 million would be forthcoming depending upon performance.The company was created in 2007 following a management buy-out after John de Mol’s Talpa sold its stake in what was then Talpa Scandinavia.

Engholm will report directly to Kevin Lygo, Managing Director, ITV Studios. He said: “A significant part of the ongoing ITV Transformation Plan is to produce more of our own shows internationally.” He added: “We’re confident he’ll make the most of UK success to gain commissions for ITVS formats in the [Nordic] territory.  Equally we look forward to him pitching original formats from Scandinavia back to us in the UK and our studio production network in other parts of the world.”

Engholm co-founded independent production company Produktionsbolaget, which focused on gala productions and big events. He sold the business to Eyeworks in 2005 and became creative director at that company, overseeing the Swedish versions of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and Bingolotto; as well as successfully developing original formats such as Know it All and A Fight Against Death and launching a drama division in 2009.