Banijay hires Great Scott co-founder Leon Wilson to lead Shine TV & Zeppotron

MasterChef (UK)

Former Talkback and Thames MD Leon Wilson has landed the top job at Banijay’s UK prodcos Shine and Zeppotron.

Wilson, who also co-founded All3Media-backed Great Scott Media, is replacing outgoing Shine MD John Swain, who is stepping down having joined from BBC Studios in 2021.

Leon Wilson (Source: Banijay)

Former Fremantle exec Wilson, who was MD of the group’s combined Talkback and Thames labels between 2013 and 2019, most recently founded Great Scott Media with Ed Sleeman.

The prodco landed commissions including Love Trap (C4) and 10-part Netflix reality series Dated & Related but closed earlier this year, with Sleeman joining UK prodco Mitre Studios.

Wilson will now be in charge of “developing and broadening” the range of Shine’s output, while also overseeing its slate including BBC’s MasterChef, Hunted and new Channel 4 show Banged Up.

He will lead a team that includes creative director Tim Whitwell and MasterChef exec producer David Ambler, with plans to expand output across streamers and broadcasters within factual, reality and entertainment.

Banijay said it has no plans to replace the MD role at Shine.

Wilson will also look to secure streaming commissions for Zeppotron, working with MD’s Ruth Phillips and Peter Holmes. The company is behind BBC One’s Would I Lie to You? and Channel 4’s 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.

Patrick Holland, CEO at Banijay UK, said Wilson’s “phenomenal amounts of energy, enthusiasm and insight” would ensure the prodcos “benefit greatly from his expertise.”

Wilson added: “I can’t wait to start in this new role and work with the fantastically talented teams at Shine and Zeppotron. I love prisons, being hunted, eating, lying and four fifths of cats … as well as winning new commissions.”