TVF International elevates sales boss to lead firm as director steps down

Poppy McAlister

UK-based factual distributor TVF International has promoted Poppy McAlister to lead the company, following the departure of director Lindsey Ayotte.

Ayotte is moving away from the broadcast industry, having been with the distribution outfit for eight years – joining as a trainee in 2015 and also serving as head of sales and head of strategic development, before being promoted to director last year following the exit of Harriet Armston-Clarke.

McAlister, who was very recently promoted to head of sales and acquisitions, following Will Stapley’s move to Abacus Media Rights in September, will stepping up to take on Ayotte’s responsibilities.

McAlister will also head up the company’s sales and acquisitions strategy in the UK and North America, while sales manager Serafina Pang will lead the distribution outfit’s ten-strong sales team, as well as managing sales across Pan Asia and Pan-Europe.

Acquisitions manager Julian Chou-Lambert will continue to work with TVF’s production partners in China, India, Singapore and Latin America.

Meanwhile, on the production side of the business, Samuel Joyce has been promoted to acquisitions and content strategist, moving into a full time role working on TVF’s acquisitions and co-productions across Europe and Asia.

“TVF are one of the few remaining true independent factual distributors and our success over the course of almost four decades is testament to the highly talented team, past and present, who have enabled us to reach record-breaking heights in the last 12 months,” said McAlister.

“MIPCOM was a great reminder of the importance of face-to-face business, so a key focus for our team in 2023 will be on attending all the major markets including WCSFP, ATF, Realscreen and AIDC.”