Peter Fincham appointed as new Controller of BBC One

Jana Bennett, BBC Director of Television, has announced the appointment of Peter Fincham, outgoing Chief Executive Officer of talkbackTHAMES, as the new Controller of BBC One.
Mr Fincham will become the channel's creative leader and will be responsible for its editorial vision and its commissioning and scheduling strategies, working closely with the television team of genre commissioners and channel controllers. He will join in early summer.
Ms Bennett said: "If there are maybe 10 people who have shaped television over the last decade, Peter is one of them.
"He has a formidable track record in delivering original and outstanding programmes across a range of modern public service genres, and the knack of making them appeal to broad audiences.
"From authored voices, like Stephen Poliakoff's 'The Lost Prince', to new entertainment formats like 'X Factor' and factual series like 'Jamie's Kitchen', he has been involved in some of the most respected and acclaimed programming of recent times.
"Peter has run an incredibly successful business but has done it along highly creative lines, and he has a strong grasp of the importance of creativity in the competitive environment of broadcasting.
"He is known as someone who attracts the best talent, supports the best ideas and then backs them with a tenacious passion.
"I am looking forward to welcoming him as part of BBC Television."
Mr Fincham said: "I grew up watching BBC One and the first programmes I made as an independent producer were for BBC One, so it's enormously flattering to be asked to take over as channel controller from Lorraine Heggessey.
"I am used to being responsible for a wide range of programmes and BBC One stands for range, quality and integrity. It also has a unique breadth of appeal.
"The BBC is going through big changes, but BBC ONE remains its flagship channel and reinterpreting and reinvigorating it for new audiences is about as exciting a challenge as it gets.
"I once applied for a job as a researcher on 'The Late, Late Breakfast Show' and was turned down, so it's taken me 20 years to get a job at the BBC – but what a job!"
Peter Fincham was appointed Chief Executive of talkbackTHAMES in February 2003 when Talkback and Thames - two of the best known brands in UK television - were brought together to create the UK's biggest, best known and most diverse independent production company.
He has been responsible for bringing the two companies together while maintaining their individual cultures.
(GB)