Lion snaps up C4 exec as duo quit

Simon Welton, former commissioning editor at UK pubcaster Channel 4, whose credits include Big Brother and The Big Breakfast, has joined Lion TV, as the firm rejigs its entertainment team.

Welton, who also worked on Soccer Aid, The Games, The Match and Lion’s Vernon Kaye-fronted pilot for ITV, is now the All3Media subsidiary’s senior entertainment executive.

In the same move, Neale Simpson has been promoted to the role of entertainment producer.

The appointments come as two top Lion execs, head of entertainment Adam Wood and head of creative Mat Steiner, quit to launch their own indie prodco. The duo were responsible for Lion hits Cash Cab and Let Me Entertain You.

The as-yet-unnamed indie will focus on the domestic and international entertainment and factual entertainment sectors, and the pair are currently finalising finances for the company.