Potato MD Michael Kelpie to depart ITV Studios at the end of the year
Michael Kelpie is standing down from his role as MD of ITV Studios-owned Potato.
Michael Kelpie
Kelpie, who is the producer of NTA & BAFTA-winning show The Chase, will leave in December.
He joined ITV as exec producer in February 2007 and quickly established a cross-genre slate of programmes, including Four Weddings, The Chase & Saturday Night Divas, plus reboots of classic ITV shows Surprise Surprise, It’ll Be Alright On The Night and Krypton Factor before being appointed as ITV Studios’ head of format entertainment in 2011.
In March 2013, Kelpie founded ITV Studio’s first in-house production label, Potato, where his credits include The Big Reunion, Bear Grylls’ Survival School, Autopsy: The Last Hours Of …, An Hour To Catch A Killer, Britain’s Secret Treasures, Inside Paddington 24/7 & Ninja Warrior UK.
He continued to build upon the success of The Chase in the UK, while supporting the expansion of the show in multiple territories ranging from USA to Australia, creating spin-off Beat The Chasers.
Angela Jain will act as interim MD working with Potato’s senior leadership team, Martin Scott, Phil Mount and Christina Clayton.
Michael Kelpie said: “It has been a privilege to be a part of ITV for so many years. I will always be immensely proud of Potato, of the range, quality and awards we have brought to ITV. I feel blessed to have met, worked and had a lot of fun with some of the most talented, creative, passionate and generous human beings in the business, both in front of and behind the camera.”
Julian Bellamy, managing director, ITV Studios said: “Michael has built Potato into a hugely successful production business over the last 11 years, his fingerprints are across a vast array of successful and award winning shows. He leaves behind a production label in great shape, a formidable slate of shows and a brilliant team. He’ll be hugely missed.”
