ITV Studios MD Lee Bartlett to leave ITV

Lee Bartlett will reportedly leave ITV next month after two years spent leading the broadcaster's production business.

Bartlett will depart his post as managing director of ITV Studios in August. Remy Blumenfeld, who Bartlett recruited to oversee ITV Studios' international business as director of formats, will also leave the broadcaster.

Bartlett's departure follows the appointment of Channel 4's director of content and online Kevin Lygo as the new creative heavyweight to run ITV Studios.

When announcing Lygo's appointment, ITV chief executive Adam Crozier praised the "fantastic job" done by Bartlett and claimed that he would continue to oversee the division's "international interests".

However, Crozier told senior executives at a leadership breakfast this morning that Bartlett would be leaving ITV as part of the leadership changes at ITV Studios.

Crozier also announced that senior Disney executive Maria Kyriacou is joining ITV in the role of managing director of global entertainment.

Kyriacou, who will officially start at ITV in September, will be responsible for overseeing all global sales and distribution strategies for ITV Studios.

The executives present at the breakfast briefing were assured by Crozier that his ongoing strategy review of ITV would not result in them having to reapply for their own jobs.

However, they will have to undergo a range of psychometric testing and also meet with business coaches.