ITV poaches Simon Cowell’s head of TV

Shu Green is leaving her position as head of TV at Simon Cowell’s Syco TV and joining ITV Studios, the content division of UK commercial broadcaster ITV.

She will take the newly created role of director of entertainment, reporting to Denise O’Donoghue and Kevin Lygo.

O’Donoghue, managing director, ITV Studios UK, said: “You can’t turn a creative business around without being able to attract and retain the best talent. Shu is an inspiring person and she will be an inspiring leader – she has immense talent, experience and charisma and will be a magnet for the best creatives at every stage in production.

Green has been heavily involved in the X Factor and Got Talent franchises.

She said: “After almost a decade working alongside Simon Cowell, I felt this was the right moment to step into my own light. I intend to put my heart and soul into putting ITV Studios back where it belongs – at the very heart of Saturday night entertainment, and in doing so am determined we will create the next generation of ground breaking shows.”