Arrow poaches Discovery’s Swartz

Channel 4-backed UK producer Arrow has hired Howard Swartz as executive VP, development and production.

He will be based in London and joins from Discovery Channel, where he was executive VP, documentaries and specials.

Swartz (pictured) is tasked with driving Arrow’s US development slate alongside Arrow’s co-founders and creative directors, Tom Brisley and John Smithson.

In a four-year stint at Discovery Channel, Swartz’s credits included live event Skywire Live with Nik Wallenda and long-running Discovery staple Shark Week.

Tom Brisley, co-founder and joint-creative director of Arrow, said: “As we look to expand our US footprint, Howard’s unrivalled experience and stellar US track record make him the perfect candidate to help Iain, John and I take Arrow to the next level.”

Swartz added: “Arrow is one of the most highly respected producers in the non-fiction space. I am thrilled to join Tom, John and Iain, and to play a part in helping Arrow continue to grow as the gold standard for smart and creative programming.”

Prior to Discovery Swartz was exec producer of PBS science series Nova. He has also worked at National Geographic Channel, exec producing the channel’s signature Explorer series.