Paramount UK names Firecracker’s Federico Ruiz as factual commissioning editor

Paramount UK has appointed Firecracker Films exec Federico Ruiz as commissioning editor for factual and unscripted programming.

Federico Ruiz

Ruiz was head of factual entertainment at Firecracker Films. During his nine years at the company he executive produced and delivered series for Channel 5 and 5Star including The Town the Gypsies Took Over, Dale Farm: The Great Gypsy Eviction and Bad Teen to Ballroom Queen.

His other exec producer credits include: My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding (TLC), Dr Christian Will See You Now (UKTV), Emily Atack: Adulting (UKTV), Open House: The Great Sex Experiment (Channel 4) and the forthcoming Vicky Pattinson: My Dad, Alcohol & Me (Channel 4).

Ruiz has also been showrunner on The Only Way Is Essex (ITV2) and director on Coach Trip (Channel 4) and I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! Now! (ITV2).

In his new role at Paramount, Ruiz will commission factual titles for the whole Channel 5 portfolio and streamer Paramount+ when it launches in the UK and Ireland next month.

Ruiz’s appointment follows the news that commissioning editor Emma Westcott will leave the company this month, as well as the addition of two new hires: Paul Testar as drama commissioning executive and Kate Ansell as commissioning editor.