Duncan Gray Appointed Creative Director, Princess Productions
11th Nov 2011
London 10th November - Princess Productions today announced the appointment of Duncan Gray to the role of Creative Director. Currently Head of Entertainment Commissioning for Sky, Gray will join the company in early 2012, reporting to Princess Productions CEO and founder Henrietta Conrad, with a brief to build on the indie’s entertainment and comedy entertainment output.
Gray will work alongside Kelly Webb-Lamb, who will continue to spearhead factual at the company and is promoted to Director of Factual Programmes, reporting to Conrad.
Since joining Sky in 2009, Gray has commissioned a series of breakout hits for Sky 1 including A League of Their Own and Got To Dance (a co-production between Princess Productions and Shine TV) and recently also commissioned The Jo Whiley Music Show for Sky Arts. He was formally Controller of Entertainment at ITV where during his tenure his commissions included Britain’s Got Talent, All Star Mr and Mrs and Katy Brand’s Big Ass Show and he oversaw returning hits including The X-Factor and Harry Hill’s TV Burp.
Henrietta Conrad said: “Duncan has an exceptional mind and an intuitive feel for popular, quality and entertaining television. Having had the pleasure of working together many times, I know what a great addition he will be to the team and the positive and creative influence he will have on our output.”
Duncan Gray said: “Sky has been the happiest place I’ve ever worked. I’d like to thank Stuart and Sophie so very much for giving me the chance to be part of the Sky success story and I’m now looking forward to being part of Princess’ world class creative team.”
Stuart Murphy, Director of Programmes, Sky 1 HD, Sky1, 2 and 3 said: “It’s been an absolute pleasure having Duncan at Sky as his contribution to entertainment has been immeasurable. He has been an utterly charming, brilliantly creative and completely trusted member of the team and he leaves on great terms with all our best wishes.”
Gray started his career as a researcher for Chris Evans on GLR before joining Evans as a Development Researcher at Planet 24 where he developed The Big Breakfast and acted as Series Editor of The Word. In 1996 Gray became Planet 24’s Development Executive in Los Angeles where he developed the format for Survivor before returning to the UK as the Executive Producer of The Big Breakfast under Johnny Vaughan and Denise Van Outen. In 1997, Gray founded At It Productions and in 1998 was appointed Controller of Entertainment, Granada developing and launching ITV’s flagship entertainment series including Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway and Popstars:The Rivals. In 2003, Gray was appointed Vice President, Alternative Series and Specials, ABC Entertainment during which time he launched Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and acted as Exec Producer on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
Princess is a multi-skilled production company producing a wide range of shows across several genres. These currently include the third series of Got To Dance (Sky 1 HD), T4 (Channel 4), The Wright Stuff (Channel Five), Eddie Stobart: Trucks and Trailers (Channel Five) and Something For The Weekend (BBC2). Recent commissions include Ashley Banjo’s Secret Street Crew (Sky 1 HD), Dirty Great Machines (Channel Five) and The Love Machine (Sky Living HD). Recent factual shows also include Lily Allen: From Rags to Riches (Channel 4) and one offs such as Growing Pains of A Teenage Genius which aired this week on BBC Three.
Further information
Patrick Keegan, Shine Group 0207 985 7021 [email protected]
James Townley, Princess Productions 0207 985 1985 [email protected]
