Fremantle UK has appointed Thames boss Amelia Brown as its new CEO, just days after Simon Andre stepped down following misconduct complaints. Brown was due to leave the Fremantle-owned Got Talent producer in the summer, but will instead immediately take the reins from Andrea, who resigned earlier this week.
Andrea stepped down before the deadline, citing health reasons, revealing that he had faced misconduct complaints before resigning. The prominent British television executive has faced two recent investigations into allegations he made against female colleagues, and in February Fremantle hired an external lawyer to look into the allegations about his conduct.
Brown oversees the Fremantle labels Thames, Talkback, and Naked, which also produce Got Talent, Too Hot to Handle, and The Apprentice. Indie Label1, the majority investment that makes Hospital, also reports to Brown. The wreck will report to Christian Vesper, the producer of Euston Films Global Drama CEO. Recent acquisitions 72 Films and Wildstar Films will continue to report to their individual boards, which include representatives from Fremantle’s senior leadership.
Fremantle will also soon unveil a replacement for Fatima Salaria as naked CEO, HR boss Nicky Gray recently left. “I have had the pleasure of working closely with Amelia for five years and know she will be an excellent leader for our UK business,” said Jennifer Mullin, CEO of Fremantle Group. “She knows how to make great presentations, and more than that is an incredibly proactive entrepreneur and an inclusive and inspiring leader.”
She initially planned to leave the business, and Deadline reported several months ago that she was planning to launch an entertainment production company. Those plans have now come to a standstill. Brown has been with Thames since 2003 and became MD when the company merged with Talkback in 2017 – a merger she held on to that was called off two years later.
