Lime fills UK unscripted development role

All3Media-owned Lime Pictures has appointed a new head of development for unscripted in the UK following Ben Crompton’s move to the US.

Nick Johns

Nick Johns joins Lime from the production arm of Scottish broadcaster STV, where he has been head of entertainment development in London since 2014.

Prior to that he was a development executive for Victory Television, the BBC and ITV Studios, where he also worked as a senior producer on two seasons of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!.

Johns is best known for his creative lead developing and securing commissions for Dancing on Ice for ITV Studios, Let’s Dance for Comic Relief (Whizz Kid Entertainment), Beat the Pack (BBC) and Sex Tape and And They’re Off! (STV).

Both Johns and Crompton, who was made executive VP of development at Lime in the US earlier this year, report to head of unscripted Sarah Tyekiff.

Tyekiff is supported by creative director Rebecca Kenny Smith on Lime’s current slate of unscripted programming. The firm’s latest US commission is Dating No Filter for E!, which is now in production of its second season.

Lime’s team also includes Louise Sutton, head of drama and young adult; Angelo Abela and Tim Compton as head of kids (scripted); and Bryan Kirkwood, head of continuing drama. All report to Lime’s joint MDs Kate Little and Claire Poyser.

“We have ambitious plans for the unscripted slate, both here in the UK and internationally, and Nick’s wealth of development experience, creative leadership and strong network relationships provides us with the final pillar to underpin an incredibly strong creative team,” said Tyekiff.