Paul Jackson becomes ITV entertainment chief

Granada America CEO Paul Jackson will move back to the UK to take up the post of director of entertainment and comedy at ITV.

"I have worked with Paul for a number of years and know that his vast experience as a programme maker in the independent sector and senior industry executive coupled with his unrivalled enthusiasm for television and talent, make him the ideal person for this role," said ITV director of television Simon Shaps. "This is a very significant appointment for ITV and is another important development in the restructuring of our commissioning team."

Shaps has reorganised ITV's top management structure. Reporting to him will be a triumvirate of directors, each with a wide-ranging brief. In addition to Jackson handling entertainment output, Alison Sharman is responsible for daytime and factual, and Nick Elliot is responsible for drama.

"I am delighted to be working with Simon again and to be joining a team that contains many old and new friends and colleagues," said Jackson. "Watching the stunning entertainment line up on ITV last Saturday night reminded me that there is not a more exciting job in British television. Those phenomenal ratings prove that ITV’s heartland audience agree with me in thinking this is entertainment programming at its very best and and I am looking forward to building on that success. This is a great time to be coming back to ITV."