±«Óãtv

David Okuefuna is to join the Scotland Arts unit for ±«Óãtv factual programmes as Creative Director of Arts. The role was created to manage the growing portfolio of programmes Scotland Arts is to receive following the network supply review in 2008 – including ±«Óãtv One's landmark arts and culture show, Imagine, and Newsnight Review.

David is currently a channel executive across ±«Óãtv Two and ±«Óãtv Four. Prior to his current position David was an editor in the ±«Óãtv Arts Studio, where he worked on documentary series, single films, special events and outside broadcast coverage events mainly for ±«Óãtv Four.

These have included Edwardians In Colour – The Wonderful World Of Albert Kahn; Racism – A History; Art Of Eternity; The Thirties In Colour; and The Story Of Maths. His appointment as creative director ±«Óãtv Scotland Arts is a pivotal development in strengthening the Glasgow and London axis of ±«Óãtv Arts production across the two bases.

In his new role, David will be in charge of overseeing the Scotland Arts slate, developing new ideas for ±«Óãtv Scotland arts and acting as executive producer on Imagine – working closely with presenter and editor Alan Yentob.

David will also be creative director on the new arts review show, formerly Newsnight Review. Both shows are due to move to Scotland Arts in 2010.

Announcing the appointment today (19 November) Andrea Miller, Head of Factual, ±«Óãtv Scotland, said: "I'm thrilled to have David on board. He is an exceptional producer who knows what audiences want and is a brilliant creative leader.

"The changes mean we have a very strong, experienced arts team strategically placed to deliver quality programmes from Scotland and London, providing an exciting pan-UK perspective of the arts."

David added: "I'm delighted to have been offered this very exciting challenge, which will give me the opportunity to work with such a distinguished broadcaster as Alan Yentob, as well as members of the very talented production teams in ±«Óãtv Scotland.

"I look forward to developing creatively fruitful collaborations between our production bases in London and Scotland – and contributing to the future success of strands like Imagine, The Culture Show and the new cultural review programme."

David will take up his post in the New Year.

Notes to Editors

The move of Imagine and Newsnight Review to Scotland was part of the Network Supply Review.

Newsnight Review begins broadcasting from Scotland Arts unit in January 2010 and Imagine in spring 2010.

Imagine will continue to use film makers from across the UK but now with a substantial base in Glasgow.

Newsnight Review is to become a new review show. It is too early to announce the name of this show.

The Culture Shows production will remain split 50:50 between London and Scotland, but David will lead the Glasgow part of the team and work closely with new editor and executive producer of the show, Janet Lee.

Liz Gibbons is currently series producer of Newsnight Review, and will join Scotland Arts as executive producer of Newsnight Review when it moves to Scotland in January 2010.

±«Óãtv Scotland Arts has produced a range of acclaimed arts programmes including:

Glamour's Golden Age, 3x60', ±«Óãtv Four, Imagine; The Colourful Mr Eggleston, 1x60', ±«Óãtv One; Jonathan Meades – Off Kilter, 3x60', ±«Óãtv Four Imagine; How An Orchestra Saved Venezuela's Children, 1x60, ±«Óãtv One, The Culture Show, 15x60' – includes three eps of Edinburgh Festival Show and four Culture Show specials; The Rules Of Film Noir, 1x60', ±«Óãtv Four.

AH