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BBC2 controller out amid restructure

Kim Shillinglaw, the controller of BBC2 and BBC4, is leaving the role after less than two years as part of a restructure at the UK pubcaster.

Kim Shillinglaw

Kim Shillinglaw

As part of the plans, BBC1 controller Charlotte Moore will become the creative, editorial and strategic lead for BBC1, BBC2, BBC4 and BBC iPlayer.

The post of BBC2 and BBC4 controller will be closed and Shillinglaw, who took the BBC2 reins in April 2014 after Janice Hadlow’s departure, is to leave the corporation after 10 years.

A new role of editor of BBC2 will be created, with Adam Barker, currently a channel executive at BBC2 and BBC4, filling it on an acting basis while a recruitment process is launched.

Acting head of television Mark Linsey described Shillinglaw as an “outstanding leader” of BBC2 and BBC4 and said he was “sorry to see her go.”

He added: “Kim has led BBC2 and BBC4 with great creativity, bringing viewers an amazing range of programmes including edgy documentaries like Meet The Ukippers, innovative comedy in Boy Meets Girl, ambitious TV experiments like Are Our Kids Tough Enough? Chinese School and distinctive treats like The Dresser.”

Shillinglaw said she had “loved modernising BBC2 and BBC4” but was looking forward to “another big challenge.”

Charlotte Moore

Charlotte Moore

Moore will take up her new responsibilities on January 25 and will continue to lead BBC1 while also managing the heads of iPlayer, Daytime and BBC4, as well as the new BBC2 editor.

She will report to Linsey and will continue to sit on the BBC TV board.

Linsey said: “This role will allow [Moore] to take a view across channels to drive distinctiveness, quality and risk-taking even further, while offering a single point of contact for programme-makers and ensuring audiences get the best programmes, however and wherever they choose to watch.”

The reorganisation follows other recent moves to simplify structures at the BBC, such as the appointment of Matthew Postgate as chief technology officer, bringing together BBC Digital, Engineering and BBC Worldwide roles.

The news comes after months of radical change at the pubcaster since BBC director of television Danny Cohen announced he was leaving the corporation last October.

Linsey stepped in to replace Cohen on an interim basis, with Alan Tyler taking Linsey’s role.

The reshuffles come ahead of what could be a huge year for the BBC, which is set to undergo its charter renewal and faces continued pressure from the UK government over funding and licence fee issues, all with the prospect of more than 1,000 job cuts looming.

The BBC charter – which sets out how the corporation is governed – is due for renewal at the end of 2016.

Shillinglaw oversaw BBC2 during the departure of Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson, who assaulted one of the show’s producers in a well-publicised “fracas.”

However, she told the Edinburgh TV Festival last August that she was excited about Top Gear’s future with Chris Evans as presenter, despite Clarkson and former co-presenters James May and Richard Hammond moving over to launch a new motoring programme on Amazon.

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