Fremantle UK hires BBC Studios exec Joanna Rwama as COO & CFO

Joanna Rwama (Source: Fremantle)

Fremantle UK has hired BBC Studios exec Joanna Rwama to the newly created role of chief operating officer & chief financial officer.

She joins as current CFO David Oldfield retires after more than two decades with the business.

Rwama will work closely with the senior leadership team of both Fremantle UK and its labels and will be responsible for the financial leadership of the business as well as setting and implementing operational and financial strategy.

She arrives from BBC Studios where she has worked for 11 years, most recently as CFO of BBC Studios Productions and previously the finance lead for factual entertainment & events and entertainment & music.

Before that, she worked as part of the team that secured investments in BBC Studios production labels including Clerkenwell Films, Expectation, Sid Gentle Films and House Productions.

The new appointment comes as former head of FP&A, Michelle Christophorou, is promoted to finance director, reporting into Rwama.

Amelia Brown, CEO of Fremantle UK, said that Rwama “will play a pivotal role in continuing to drive Fremantle UK’s growth and success into the future.”