Gary Carter to exit Endemol Shine

Gary Carter has decided to leave Endemol Shine Group.

Carter was recently named as co-international CEO of the new entity, but has decided against taking he role further. This leaves Martha Brass as sole international chief executive.

Carter will remain in the role for coming months as a replacement is found. The regional managing directors and CEOs that report into him will continue to do so until his exit.

“Gary has been very honest in explaining that, though early into our newly-merged business, he has decided that it is not for him and wanted to act now so we can plan for the future accordingly,” said ESG CEO Sophie Turner Laing in a memo to staff seen by TBI.

Carter said his decision was “difficult and very personal”, adding: “In the last three months as the new group formed and the integration gathered momentum it has become clear to me that it is not a long-term home for me personally.

“Having been privileged to have worked for both Endemol and Shine, both formative and happy experiences, the prospect of the merger was always going to be complex and it became clear to me that this is not a context which plays to my professional strengths or personal interests.”

“I felt it was better to say as much now, as to not do so would have been unfair and in my mind unprofessional. I would like to thank Sophie for her understanding and kind words and have assured colleagues I am here to work through the next few months to smooth any transition and minimize any inconvenience to themselves.”

The former FremantleMedia group COO’s role at ESG would have seen him oversee operations in Belgium, Central and Eastern Europe, Germany, Middle East, the Netherlands, Nordic region, North Africa, South Africa, Switzerland and Turkey. Marina Williams, CEO of central and eastern Europe, Middle East and North Africa, also reports into him.

ESG boss Turner Laing added of his exit: “I have greatly valued Gary’s skills and appreciate his work to date in bedding in the new company but I am respectful of his decision and characteristic honesty in wanting to say now for the benefit of all.”

Carter’s career includes a five-year run as executive director of programme affairs at Endemol International, where he oversaw the international roll out of Big Brother.

He then joined FremantleMedia, where he oversaw overall strategy, ran the group’s central creative networks unit, founded their digital divisions and managed its various European production operations.

He left FremantleMedia before joining Shine in 2013 as chairman, northern Europe and digital division Shine360° before taking on his current post.