ABC poaches Nine development chief

Australian public broadcaster ABC has poached commercial rival Nine Network’s director of development and digital.

Adrian Swift is joining ABC as head of content and creative development after three years at Nine.

Former ABC2 boss Stuart Menzies currently fills the position at ABC following a management rejig in December. His future was not immediately clear this morning and ABC couldn’t be reached from the UK for comment.

Swift is credited with overseeing series such as The Voice and Big Brother while at the commercial channel, and will now oversee all of ABC’s TV content with a central role in shaping programming.

“Adrian is one of the most highly regarded production executives in the country,” Richard Finlayson, ABC Television’s director.

“His experience across public broadcasting, digital media, and in building broad, engaging shows for Nine, gives him a unique perspective to lead ABC Content into the challenges ahead.”

“Joining the ABC is very much a creative decision,” said Swift. “To have the ability to help the National broadcaster in its significant role in reflecting and defining Australian culture through the most powerful medium of all – television – is an opportunity I just couldn’t turn down.”