Pattison named Keo chair as Baring exits post

David Pattison (left) is replacing Zam Baring as the chair of Keo Films and non-exec director Rob Love is leaving the board of the UK indie producer.

Pattison’s experience is in the marketing and advertising sector where he set up the PHD agency, which was acquired by Ominicom, and digital business iLG, which was sold to private equity players in 2008. Since then, Pattison has been working on various digital start-ups.

Love is stepping down from the Keo board and will work on the spin-off businesses to the River Cottage TV franchise and his own digital agency.

Baring will remain a director of Keo. He said: “David’s wealth of skills and experience in the broader media industry will be invaluable to Keo as it moves forward to its next phase of development. My stint as Chair was always intended to be interim until we could bring on board someone with the right level of experience and clout and in David we have found that person.”

Pattison added: “Keo has a unique culture with a unique product offering, in an exciting and competitive marketplace. I am very much looking forward to supporting Debbie Manners, the board and the team to help Keo into the future.”

Keo makes the River Cottage franchise as well as Hugh’s Fish Fight, which also features chef and campaigner Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.

It is attempting to branch out into scripted programming and has a deal with Content Television, which will sell its drama product. The River Cottage series are distributed internationally by Hat Trick International.