BBC raids Disney, NBCU for Asia appointments

BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the UK public broadcaster, has hired four new executives for its Asia business.

The changes come in the wake of David Weiland’s appointment as executive VP, Asia, for Worldwide.

Weiland (pictured), who previously ran Western Europe for Worldwide, started in the Singapore-based position this week and has assembled a team with four new recruits.

Laura Byrnes joins from NBCUniversal where she was director, legal and business affairs. Having also worked at BSkyB and Turner, she will be vice president, legal and business affairs at Worldwide, reporting to Robin Chalmers, director of business and legal affairs, Global Markets, UK and Australasia.

Amit Arora has joined from consultancy Delta Partners and will be head of business development at BBC Worldwide. His previous experience includes a stint at Turner. At Worldwide he will report to Nick Percy, director of business Development and Digital, Global Markets.

The other two hires are James Wildbore as vice president, finance, and Laura Roscoe as HR business partner. Wildbore joins from Disney and Roscoe from Barclays.

David Weiland said: “These senior and experienced hires across all of our corporate functions will enhance our capability to further grow the BBC brand in Asia and underline the company’s commitment to the region.”