BBC exec to head All3’s Company

Company Pictures in the UK has appointed a BBC drama executive to become its new MD when founders George Faber and Charlie Pattinson leave next year.

John Yorke

John Yorke will leave his role as controller of BBC drama production and new talent to lead All3Media-owned Company, whose credits include soon-to-end Shameless, Skins and forthcoming BBC historical drama The White Queen.

At the BBC, Yorke is responsible for continuing dramas including EastEnders, Casualty, Waterloo Road and Holby, as well as running the BBC writers academy.

He was previously joint head of independent drama and controller of continuing drama at the BBC, and worked as head of drama at Channel 4 between 2003 and 2005, where he commissioned Shameless and Sex Traffic.

Yorke will replace Faber and Pattinson, who are leaving Company next year to “pursue new ventures” within All3, according to a spokeswoman.

Company’s other credits include Inspector George Gently, Wild at Heart and The Shadow Line. Its new slate boasts series such as Truckers, The Village and Wolf Hall for the BBC, and political thriller Coup, historical drama New World and sitcom London Irish for Channel 4.