Willems out and Heuten in at FremantleMedia Belgium

FremantleMedia has hired Dave Heuten (pictured) as co-managing director of its production business in Belgium

The former SBS exec will work with the Belgian businesses other MD Stefan De Keyser and replace Kristine Willems who is leaving FremantleMedia at the end of March.

Willems was appointed in 2012 and replaced FremantleMedia Belgium’s long-serving boss Gert Verpeet. Stefan De Keyser was recruited last year to work alongside Willems. Heuten, De Keyser and Willems are all former SBS executives.

Heuten was programme manager & head of formats at SBS Belgium. Prior to this, he was executive line producer at Zodiak Media.

Under the new structure at FremantleMedia Belgium Heuten will focus on format development and sales and the creative direction of the business. De Keyser will oversee management of the day to day operations and other commercial activity.

Both Heuten and De Keyser will report to FremantleMedia CEO, Cecile Frot-Coutaz.

She said: “Dave’s extensive knowledge of the global format market, together with his impressive creative track record and his passion for programme making will complement Stefan’s strong operational and commercial knowledge and experience.”