BBC: Patrick Younge appointed Chief Creative Officer, BBC Vision Productions

Patrick Younge has been appointed Chief Creative Officer for BBC Vision Productions, it was announced today by Jana Bennett, Director of BBC Vision.

Patrick, who is currently President and General Manager of Travel Channel Media, succeeds Peter Salmon, who recently took up the post of Director, BBC North.

Patrick will be responsible for the largest content creator in the world, delivering hit BBC shows such as Strictly Come Dancing, Doctor Who, Top Gear, Antiques Roadshow, EastEnders, Dragons' Den, Watchdog, Nature's Great Events and The One Show.

Jana Bennett said: 'I'm delighted to welcome Patrick back to the BBC, to take on what is one of the most significant roles in UK broadcasting. Patrick brings with him a wealth of experience from both here in the UK and the States.

'He is a truly modern thinker who understands how audiences consume content across different platforms. He also brings with him exceptional leadership and management skills and an ability to spot and nurture both on and off-screen talent.

'His international experience will be invaluable as he looks to develop BBC Vision programme brands in partnership with the Commercial Agency and BBC Worldwide.'

Patrick Younge said of his appointment: 'I've had a great time in the States, participating in the multimedia revolution up close and turning around an underperforming TV network which now reaches over 94 million US homes.

'At the same time this feels very much like coming home - and it's a good feeling.

'I'm really looking forward to returning to the BBC and the heart of BBC Production, to work with a truly amazing team of people who excel in offering high quality content across the globe. I'm confident we can both creatively grow the business and have some fun along the way.'

Patrick took up his current post of President and General Manager of Travel Channel Media (part of Cox Communications), an integrated multiplatform travel business, in 2005.

In this role he has been responsible for all programming, production, development and operations for the network and led a transformation of the Travel Channel into a multimedia business with record ratings and business results.

Prior to this, Younge spent four years as Head of Programmes and Planning for BBC Sport, where he was directly responsible for scheduling more than 1,000 hours of sport output annually across BBC One and BBC Two, improving production efficiencies and overseeing innovative BBC Sports coverage.

Programmes Younge was responsible for included: Grandstand; Sunday Grandstand; Ski Sunday; Rugby Special and Sports Personality Of The Year.

In 2004 Patrick was joint leader of the pan-BBC Content Supply Review, focussing on BBC in-house production.

Previously, Patrick spent two years as Commissioning Editor for Multicultural Programmes at Channel 4, where his programme credits included: Untold, the black history season; Soul Nation, Trevor Nelson's history of British soul music; Love In Leeds, a pop documentary series and An Indian Affair, a revisionist history of Britain's relationship with India.

Prior to this Patrick worked at the BBC as a Series Producer in Current Affairs. His credits include: the award-winning series Black Britain, which he both co-created and series produced; and BBC One series Here And Now, of which he was series producer.

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