Food Network UK adds former ITV execs

Food Network UK is stepping up its push into original programming and digital media after MD Nick Thorogood hired two of his former ITV colleagues.

Thorogood has appointed Sue Walton as consultant head of commissioning and original content, having previously worked with her when he was head of daytime at ITV.

Kate Bradshaw, another former ITV executive, has joined as consultant head of digital. Previously she was deputy MD and head of online commissioning for ITV.com.

Both positions are newly created and both execs join the Scripps Networks Interactive-owned channel after leaving ITV amid a restructuring last year.

Most recently, Walton was head of daytime at ITV Studios. She exec produced This Morning from 2009 and was seconded to work as interim editor of GMTV in 2010. She was also executive producer of Loose Women.

Walton has also held senior programming roles at the BBC and UKTV. She will be based in London and have responsibility for Food Network series development, talent-spotting, commissioning and exec producing.

“Sue’s world-class expertise in production and commissioning is a tremendous asset to the network. She will lead the way for expanding Food Network UK’s locally produced programming efforts,” said Thorogood.

Bradshaw, meanwhile, was awarded an international Emmy in 2010 for her work on Primeval Evolved and also oversaw digital exploitation of ITV brands such as The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent.

Prior to ITV, she was director of new media production at IMG, responsible for all broadcast-related multiplatform activities including those relating to then subsidiaries Tiger Aspect Productions and Darlow Smithson.

Thorogood said of Bradshaw: “Kate’s proven, award-winning track record in commissioning and producing successful digital products is an ideal fit for the direction in which Food Network UK is headed.”