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The Ö÷²¥´óÐã today announced the first of three independent factual commissioning executive producer appointments under the Ö÷²¥´óÐã's Network Supply strategy. Nick Shearman is to be the first Knowledge Commissioning Executive Producer, Network, Wales in a role aimed at bolstering commissions in the Nations.

Reporting to Emma Swain, Head of Knowledge Commissioning, and Clare Hudson, Head of Programmes, English Language, Ö÷²¥´óÐã Wales, Nick will build relationships with Welsh independent production companies and talent, help develop ideas with them and, once commissioned by the Knowledge Commissioning Editors, Nick will executive produce the programmes on behalf of the Ö÷²¥´óÐã.

The three new Knowledge Commissioning Executive Producer roles will be based in Cardiff, Glasgow and Belfast. The roles in Scotland and Northern Ireland are in the process of being appointed.

Through Nick, independent production companies based in Wales will have more face-to-face time with commissioning and a champion to sell their ideas directly to the Commissioning Editors.

Nick is currently based in Bristol as the Commissioning Editor for Factual Formats and Features (In-House) and will be taking up his new role as Knowledge Commissioning Executive Producer in Wales shortly.

He says: "I'm pleased to have the opportunity of working with independent companies and the Ö÷²¥´óÐã's Commissioning teams in an area that offers real potential for growth across the full range of Ö÷²¥´óÐã channels and in a number of factual genres."

Emma Swain says: "Nick has extensive experience in the independent production sector as well as an inside knowledge of commissioning. He will be in a position to build on the strong number of commissions from Wales and nurture talent, like the recent Amazon series produced by Indus Films with Bruce Parry."

Clare Hudson says: "Nick's appointment is an important new step towards delivering major network production growth to the Ö÷²¥´óÐã from Wales. He has a really impressive track record as a programme maker and commissioner, and his experience and insight will be invaluable for Welsh independent production companies wishing to deliver great programmes to the Ö÷²¥´óÐã's audiences across the UK."

Anne Morrison, Controller, Network Production, says: "Nick's appointment is excellent news for factual indies in Wales. This new role is a key part of the Ö÷²¥´óÐã's ambitious strategy to help strengthen and develop the indie sector in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland."

On 15 October 2008, in a speech to the Royal Television Society, Jana Bennett, Director of Vision, announced the Ö÷²¥´óÐã's commitment to increasing television network production to 50% from outside London by 2016.

In Wales, network spend will increase from the current rate of 2.6% to around 5% in line with the population level.

The Ö÷²¥´óÐã already has some Commissioning Executive Producers based in the Nations and Regions fulfilling a similar role to Nick for other genres. A Commissioning Executive for Comedy and a Commissioning Executive for Daytime (and early peak) are already based in Manchester.

As part of the Network Supply Strategy, Alan Tyler was recently announced as Executive Editor, Entertainment Commissioning, for Scotland and Northern Ireland, based in Scotland, and Jo Street was recently announced as Executive Producer, Daytime, based in Scotland, looking after both in-house and independent daytime commissions in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Biography

Nick Shearman began his career in TV in 1984 when he joined the Ö÷²¥´óÐã as a researcher working on programmes including Crimewatch, before moving on to produce films like Great Railway Journeys, Great Journeys, and Byline for The Tales From Prague season. He also made drama-docs and set up a series called War Walks with Professor Richard Holmes.

In 1995/6 Nick was at the forefront of the docu-soap boom when he made Vets School for Ö÷²¥´óÐã One and turned it into the long-running series Vets In Practice, following it with series such as Holiday Reps (Ö÷²¥´óÐã One) and Bath Rugby Club (Ö÷²¥´óÐã Two).

In 1998, he left the Ö÷²¥´óÐã to set up a Bristol office for Tiger Aspect. Here, Nick helped to develop and oversaw numerous projects, including the award-winning Foot 'n' Mouth Diaries for Channel 4 and Bailiffs for Ö÷²¥´óÐã One.

Nick joined RDF as an Executive Producer in 2002, making shows for all the terrestrial channels. These included Holiday Showdown for ITV1, which won an RTS award and was nominated for a BAFTA; Ladette To Lady (series two and three) for ITV1; Rock School (series two) for Channel 4; the first two series of Oz & James's Big Wine Adventure for Ö÷²¥´óÐã Two; Anthea Turner: Perfect Housewife for Ö÷²¥´óÐã Three; and The Truth About Size Zero (ITV1).

He left RDF for Eyeworks At It and then re-joined the Ö÷²¥´óÐã in March 2008.

LD