BBC Studios boss Mark Thomas to leave in April

BBC Studios and Post Production (S&PP) chief executive Mark Thomas is to leave the corporation's commercial subsidiary after four years in charge.

Thomas will depart BBC S&PP in April, and the corporation has not indicated as yet who will replace him.

He joined what was then BBC Resources in 2008 and helped transform the company following the sale of BBC Outside Broadcasts to SIS.

BBC S&PP is now the UK's largest provider of studios, post production and digital media services to the broadcast and media industry.

Under Thomas's leadership, the business has just completed its best ever year, generating its highest profitability since it was formed in 1998.

"There is never a good time to leave a job like this one, but one of the responsibilities of a CEO is to know when it's time to move on and let someone new take on the challenge of building on what everyone here has achieved over the last few years," said Thomas.

John Tate, the new chairman of BBC Studios and Post Production, added: "Mark leaves S&PP in terrific shape for the future, having engineered a complete transformation of the business since he arrived in 2008.

"His vision and drive have ensured that valuable long-term contracts are now in place, new revenue streams have been secured, and the organisation is more agile, customer-focused and efficient. He leaves with our thanks for everything he has done, and with our very best wishes for the future."

Thomas's departure follows the recent appointment of BBC creative supremo Alan Yentob as a director on the board of BBC Studios and Post Production.

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