O’Donoghue departs ITV

Denise O’Donoghue

ITV Studios UK’s MD Denise O’Donoghue has stepped down from her position.

O’Donoghue has been in the role for more than four years but will leave ITV after deciding to “scale back” her working commitments. She will exit the position at the end of the year, with a successor to be revealed in due course.

She was brought into the UK arm of ITV Studios (ITVS) in 2010 as part of CEO Adam Crozier’s plan to expand its content business. She oversees production and rights management, as well as working with creative to teams to develop new shows.

O’Donoghue, who was previously joint MD at UK production outfit Hat Trick, said: “I have absolutely loved my time at ITVS and it has been terrific to play a part in the enormous change in ITV’s fortunes.

“ITV Studios has undergone significant change in its profile, confidence and output, which has enabled us to retain and attract exceptionally talented people.”

She will remain a member of the board at ITV Studios, which claims to be the largest commercial production company in the UK. The firm increased revenues by 12% in the UK last year, with recent commissions including Lucan and The Widower, period dramas Vera and Mr Selfridge and entertainment show Big Star’s Little Star.

Kevin Lygo, MD of ITV Studios, said O’Donoghue had played “a crucial role” in rebuilding the firm’s UK production business by “bringing in and managing brilliant creative talent, which in turn has resulted in the development of a strong and healthy content pipeline.”