Rare replaces CEO with C4 exec

UK factual indie Rare TV has appointed a Channel 4 executive as its new CEO to replace co-founder Antony Fraser, who left the company last week.

Alexander Gardiner

Alexander Gardiner was most recently consultant commissioning editor at UK broadcaster Channel 4, before which he was MD of ITV Studios-owned prodco Shiver, where he led the company’s restructuring. He was also previously creative director for the Factual North arm of ITV Studios.

Gardiner, who has won two Baftas, five Television Society Awards and a Peabody Award, has credits including the first season of reality hit I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! and the first televised UK political party leaders’ debate in 2010.

He also launched ITV’s flagship political show Peston on Sunday in 2016 and oversaw documentary Exposure: The Other Side of Jimmy Savile, which sparked a major police investigation into sexual abuse committed by the late kids’ TV presenter.

Gardiner is replacing Fraser, who exited Rare TV last week to pursue fresh challenges, according to the company. Fraser co-founded Rare in 2013.

Graham Coxell, non-executive chairman of Rare TV, said: “In addition to Alex’s unquestionable media and TV credentials to lead Rare TV through the next chapter of its development, Alex has a very strong sense of ethics and desire to make a positive impact on our community as demonstrated by his numerous voluntary activities focused at ‘giving back’.

“It was these credentials and Alex’s values which made him a stand out candidate to take on the role as CEO of Rare TV among some very strong competition.”

Rare TV is behind shows such as the BBC’s Pandemic, Digging for Britain and Fake Britain, plus Irish pubcaster RTÉ’s Crimecall.