Seven Studios recruits BBC exec to run UK production venture

Seven has recruited BBC executive Damon Pattison to run its new British-based production house, Seven Studios UK.

The latest venture is the latest addition to Seven West Media’s portfolio of production houses which includes New Zealand’s Great Southern Film & Television, Slim Film & Television in London, Seven Studios Australia and Los Angeles-headquartered 7Beyond.

Previously creative director of development across BBC Studios, Pattison’s role saw him responsible for shows including A Question of Sport, Channel Five’s Top of The Box and co-producer of BBC daytime series The Boss and Home Is Where The Art Is.

During his career, Pattison has co-created and produced numerous formatted series including You Are What You Eat, Show Me the Monet, Secret Location, Food Chain, Word Play and School of Silence, as well as producing the UK series of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. He also ran his own company, Lucky Day Productions, as part of the Zodiak Media Group.

Seven West Media CEO Tim Worner said: “We are very pleased to be opening the doors of Seven Studios in the UK with Damon, whose record as an outstanding creative executive and leader speaks for itself.

“He has consistently generated fantastic ideas and executed them with great success. At Seven Studios UK he will have the benefit of an IP flow from our entire group’s creative output which is already finding a growing global audience.”

Pattison added: “The opportunity to work for an international broadcaster of such repute was too good a chance to miss. It’s an incredibly exciting opportunity, and I look forward to working with such a strong creative team to develop and produce new content at Seven Studios UK.”

Seven Studios Australia is responsible for My Kitchen Rules withproduction rights sold in 13 international territories. The local production house is currently co-producing Zumbo’s Just Desserts with Netflix.