The general manager of BBC Studios Australia and New Zealand, Fiona Lang, surprised staff at an “all hands” meeting on Tuesday this week.
Lang revealed to colleagues that she would be stepping down and leaving the organisation at the end of September.
In a note later sent to staff, Lang explained: “This has been an incredibly difficult decision to make, but having led the business through a critical stage in ANZ’s evolution, I feel that the time is right for me to pursue my next career opportunity.
“I have absolutely loved leading this team and am very proud of what we have all achieved, from the creative deals that we have shaped for our channels, the new parts of the business that we have set up, including launching BBC First, BBC Studios Productions, BritBox and the Bluey commercial team, the recent launch of BBC News on BBC.com and the reshaping of our business to meet its very exciting digital future. You are a brilliant and very professional team, whose first-class support underpins everything we do.”
Lang confirmed that in the interim after her departure, Nick Percy, president of global markets for BBC Studios, will oversee the ANZ region.
Nick Percy is starting a recruitment process to find a new leader for BBC Studios in Australia and New Zealand.
Percy paid tribute to the departing executive: “Fiona’s leadership has been marked by her ability to be future-focused and innovative in deal-making, often pushing ANZ to be the global leader in new areas of business and working closely with partners to deliver creative solutions.”
Lang joined the BBC in 2014 after working in law in Australia and Germany. She was also a board member of BritBox International.
Potential internal candidates to replace Lang could be colleagues on the leadership team at BBC Studios ANZ. Other team members are Kylie Washington – BBC Studios ANZ’s general manager and creative director of production, Deb Tod – head of content sales and co-productions, Chrissie Carras – head of BBC branded services, Kate O’Connor – head of brands and licensing, and Jamie Chambers – vice president, BBC global news advertising & distribution.
See also: BBC Studios Productions Australia acquires Werner Film Productions