ITV reshuffles creative leadership, with Peter Fincham stepping down as director of television
ITV's director of television Peter Fincham is stepping down after eight years in his role to be replaced by ITV Studios boss Kevin Lygo as of 1 February.
It has been emphasised the decision is Fincham’s own, although the move comes amid speculation that ITV chief executive Adam Crozier is rethinking strategies among the commissioning team following The Voice bidding war with the BBC.
Fincham has been with ITV for eight years, formerly working as controller of BBC1. He was forced to resign from this role over the ‘crowngate’ scandal, in which he misjudged a trailer for 'A Year With the Queen' documentary, which was edited to show the Queen storming out of an interview when asked to remove her crown.
Fincham confirmed his departure is a "personal decision" that he had been considering for a while: "By the time I leave at Easter, I will have been a channel controller at the BBC and ITV, amazing as it seems, for 11 years. Quite simply, it’s time to do something different."
Fincham talked of returning to the indie sector, having run production company TalkBack Thames prior to his broadcasting career, saying that his indie heart "has never quite stopped beating".
On the news of his departure, Crozier said Fincham had led a “brilliant creative transformation” at ITV, adding: “Peter came to see me in September to say that he wanted to step down and whilst I am sorry to see him leave, eight years is a long time and I fully respect his desire for a new challenge.”
Lygo has been managing director of ITV Studios for five years. His role as running the global studios business will be taken over by ITV Studios UK managing director Julian Bellamy.
Crozier said Lygo is "perfectly placed to lead the commissioning team", adding: "We are fortunate to have some of the best creative talent in the industry at ITV and that has enabled us to put in place a seamless succession plan."
The news comes a day after ITV chairman Archie Norman stated his intention to depart the commercial broadcaster.
Norman brought on Adam Crozier as chief executive, who spearheaded the production of Downton Abbey, with the company’s market value now quoted as £10.5bn.