ROWLAND LANDS NEW POST IN BBC DRAMA

KATE ROWLAND has been appointed to the new role of Creative Director, New Writing in the BBC’s Drama, Entertainment and Children’s Division.
Rowland will work across the division, nurturing and developing new writers and their projects in collaboration with editorial colleagues. She will continue to lead the New Writing Initiative, which she established two years ago and which has brought many new writers to BBC television drama.
Rowland said: “I have had a fantastic time over the past three years. Radio Drama is a unique place to work, a creative force not to be ignored. But the opportunity to work with colleagues developing writers across different platforms, enhance the work of the New Writing Initiative and maintain strong links with radio was a challenge I relished. This role allows me to take risks, nurture diverse voices and work with the most distinctive writing talent.”
Rowland will broaden the scope of the initiative to encompass entertainment and children’s areas and will develop and promote new writing strategy, creating opportunities that attract the most original and diverse talents.
Rowland will also produce and executive produce radio drama output and will work with colleagues in television drama and Fictionlab to produce output for both television and new media. Rowland will report to Head of Innovation and Factual Drama, Susan Spindler.
Spindler said: “Kate has been a brilliant catalyst of new and established writing talent and I’m looking forward to working with her in a new role where she will have the opportunity to use her talents across a wider range of media and programme areas.”
The post head of Radio Drama will be advertised tomorrow and Rowland will continue in her current role until her successor is in place. (CMcL)