Bazal disappears in Endemol UK rejig

Bazal, the 14-year-old UK production outfit set up by lifestyle pioneer Peter Bazalgette, is disappearing in a restructure of its parent company Endemol UK.

The majority of the parent's entertainment formats will now come under a new brand, Endemol UK Productions, incorporating the company that brought us Ground Force and Ready Steady Cook.

Bazal's md Nikki Cheetham, has been promoted to oversee the expanded operation, while Bazalgette himself becomes chairman of Endemol UK. Former md of Endemol subsidiary Initial, Tim Hincks takes Bazalgette's old position as creative director.

{The move reflects the UK group’s increasingly important role in the international Endemol group,{ said an Endemol spokesman.

Furthermore, Initial’s deputy md Laurence Jones has been promoted to md, while Malcolm Gerrie remains chief executive.

Lucas Church, md of Endemol UK's distribution arm Gem, has been appointed to the Endemol UK board as commercial director, with the name Gem going the same way as Bazal. The Initial and Brighter Pictures brands remain.