Ex-ITV Studios exec fills BBC role

A former head of entertainment at ITV Studios in Manchester, UK, has joined UK pubcaster the BBC as a commissioning editor.

Rachel Ashdown is joining the Corporation’s entertainment division, which controller Mark Linsey oversees.

The commissioning editor, entertainment role was previous filled by Mirella Breda, who exited to join Endemol prodco Initial.

Ashdown is a former exec at ITV’s production unit and rose to deputy controller of entertainment during her tenure there. She is currently an executive producer at Jamie Oliver’s prodco Fresh One Productions.

Her other credits include exec producing Whizz Kid and AGS Production coproduction Titantic: A Commemoration in Music and Film for the BBC, CPL’s Wall of Fame for Sky1 and Stars in Their Eyes for ITV.

Linsey said of Ashdown’s appointment: “With her extensive experience in managing teams, commissioning, developing and exec producing, Rachel will make a brilliant addition to my entertainment commissioning team. I can’t wait for her to get started.”

“I have enjoyed my time working as an executive producer with the teams at Whizz Kid, CPL and Fresh One and am delighted to have the opportunity to return to commissioning,” added Ashdown.