DRG raids BBC, Shine and brings in Noel Hedges

DRG announced this morning that it has recruited commercial executives from BBC Worldwide and Shine Group, and TBI has learned it has brought in former Cineflix exec Noel Hedges.

The Modern Times Group-owned producer and distributor has hired Richard Halliwell as its new chief operations officer. He joins from BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the UK pubcaster, where he was commercial director for entertainment formats working on the international roll out of the Dancing with the Stars (aka Strictly Come Dancing) format.

Wayne Davison (pictured, left) is also joining DRG from the Shine Group and will take the role of commercial director. He has been tasked with the commercial growth of DRG programme brands, which include Doc Martin, Top Boy and the Don’t Tell the Bride and Catchphrase formats.

Noel Hedges (pictured, right), meanwhile, has joined as a consultant at DRG to help further develop the acquisitions strategy in the realms of factual and drama. Having previously worked at ITV Studios and Shine, he recently left Cineflix amid the company’s restructure.

Jeremy Fox, CEO at DRG said: “Both Richard and Wayne have extensive industry experience and their backgrounds in format and programme sales, and brand management for some of the biggest shows in global TV make them great assets to the company. As we enter the New Year, we thought it necessary to extend the team as we look to grow the company and focus on our future as part of the MTG family.”

Amid the hires, TBI has also learned of an exec departure at DRG – Charlotte Hargreaves has left the company. She was senior VP, marketing and business development. DRG confirmed her departure and said her role was not being directly replaced.