Fremantle names MD’s for Thames & Naked in latest changes at UK division

Too Hot To Handle

Fremantle UK’s rejig in the wake of Simon Andreae’s departure as CEO has continued, with new MD’s appointed at Naked and Thames.

The Apprentice prodco Naked is now to be led by Charlie Irwin, who was previously director of programmes, while Fremantle has made Tom O’Brien’s interim role atop Naked permanent.

Charlie Irwin

Both will lead strategic direction of the labels, overseeing both the creative and commercial output, and report into Amelia Brown, who was appointed CEO of Fremantle UK in April, a week after the exit of Andreae.

O’Brien has worked at Naked since 2016 and has credits on shows such as The Rap Game UK for BBC Three and Secret Crush for ITV2. He previously had stints at Remarkable Television, TwoFour and Electric Ray.

Irwin began his career at Thames more than two decades ago while working on the first season of The X Factor, before becoming director of programmes at the label in 2019. He has overseen all output including the revival of Blankety Blank and Family Fortunes, as well as Thames’ expansion into reality television with Too Hot To Handle for Netflix.

Thames appointments

The prodco has also promoted Leilah Mason to become head of production, while Helen Moore is now deputy head of production at Thames, both reporting to Irwin.

Tom O’Brien

Both Mason and Moore joined the label in 2000 as production co-ordinators, working on shows including The Greatest Dancer for BBC One and The Real Dirty Dancing for E4.

Brown said: “Tom has been paramount in growing Naked from a smaller factual entertainment label to one of the biggest in the business. He’s hugely creative and his ability to create and sell formats is second to none.

“Over at Thames, Charlie is an expert in entertainment production and also a fantastic leader. After two decades with the business, he is the heart of all Thames programming and is extremely passionate about what we do. Thames is also so lucky to have Leilah and Helen make up the senior team – they are two of the most brilliant production minds who can run any show, of any size.”