Channel 4 Appoints Ian MacKenzie as Nations & Regions Manager

Following the announcement last month that Stuart Cosgrove would be stepping down from his role of Director, Creative Diversity, Ian MacKenzie, currently Media Project Manager for Nations & Regions, has been promoted to become Channel 4’s Nations & Regions Manager.

In this newly created role, based in Glasgow, MacKenzie will be responsible for maximising the commissioning potential and delivery of production companies in the Nations and those based outside of the M25 in working with Channel 4. Reporting to Ralph Lee, Deputy Chief Creative Officer and Head of Factual, Ian will continue to utilise the Alpha Fund; a development fund designed to support regionally based companies, projects with diverse talent attached, and grassroots innovation and partnership with both emergent and established companies.

Susie Wright, also based in Glasgow, now becomes Nations & Regions Executive, reporting to Ian, and Laura Healy’s role as Nations and Regions Team Administrator, also based in the Scottish office, continues.

“This appointment confirms Channel 4’s determination to maintain a broad supply base and to nurture new talent and ideas. The new reporting structure means that this crucial role will be more closely aligned to the commissioning process which will ensure that their work is more quickly realised on air.” Ralph Lee, Deputy Chief Creative Officer and Head of Factual.

“Our work across the Nations & Regions is tied to Channel 4’s license and our extensive new commitments to commissioning hours and spend. I look forward to working with Ralph Lee and the team towards our ambitious goals for Nations & Regions Indies.” Ian MacKenzie, Nations & Regions Manager.

The structure of the Creative Diversity team is also being reviewed in the wake of Cosgrove’s departure. A new role of Creative Diversity Manager has been created, which will report to Ralph Lee and will ensure the successful implementation of the 360° Diversity Charter announced in January and provide expertise on all diversity matters for the channel. This role will be supported by two Creative Diversity Executives. Detail of who will fill these roles is to be confirmed.

Stuart Cosgrove will continue his role as Indie Advocate until the end of the year and on other projects on a consultancy basis.