BBC Worldwide finalises revamp

BBC Worldwide has finalised a radical restructure for the UK which puts individual magazine publishing directors in charge of extending brands and personalities into other formats.

The shake-up by managing director Peter Phippen means the end of the consumer products division, which focused on book, video and spoken word publishing for all BBC properties and liaison with the retail trade.

Under the new structure, magazine publishing directors take charge of the development of a clutch of brands – divided up on the basis of different consumer interests – in formats including publishing, video, exhibitions and TV (through UKTV, the BBC Worldwide/Flextech joint venture).

Nicholas Brett, publishing director of the Radio Times, becomes director of the business group covering drama, history, music, arts and listings plus all spoken word publishing. Key properties include This Life, Radio Times and Pride and Prejudice.

Stuart Snaith, publishing director of Match of the Day and Top Gear, has responsibility for comedy, sci-fi, science, travel, sports and motoring.

Seamus Geoghegan, publishing director of home interest titles such as Good Food, Homes & Antiques and Gardeners’ World, takes charge of the business group covering these areas and also fashion, led by the Clothes Show brand.

Gillian Laskier, publishing director of children’s magazines and Family Life, will take charge of parenting and children’s interest.

The new directors will draw on central resources split into three departments: business development; sales and trade marketing; and a book and video commissioning team.

Phippen says the structure “will leverage the power of our brands across a range of formats in a more cohesive and strategic way”.