BBC Studios Productions' CEO Ralph Lee announces departure

Ralph Lee, BBC Studios Productions’ CEO will be leaving the company in April, after almost six years.

Formerly Channel 4 Deputy Chief Creative Officer, Lee has presided over the production business’s titles including Strictly Come Dancing, Happy Valley 3, EastEnders, Doctor Who, Good Omens, The Coronation of King Charles III, Silent Witness, and Black Ops.

Lee was appointed director of content in 2018 and was made CEO of BBC Studios Production in 2022 when the company created a single content umbrella for its Scripted, Factual, Global Entertainment and Kids & Family productions, talent relationships and content investment. He took oversight of BBC Studios’ production labels and invested indies including House Productions, Lookout Point, Clerkenwell, Voltage TV, Sid Gentle Films and Firebird Pictures as well as BBC Studios’ international production operations in the US, France, India, Australia, and the Nordics.

According to the press release, since his tenure, BBC Studios Productions has become the most-awarded production group at both the BAFTAs and RTS Awards. He introduced a culture and leadership initiative called The Pledge across all BBC Studios productions to empower senior leaders to take responsibility for behaviour on their sets and to provide clarity and support its teams, on or off.

In 2020, Lee also announced the creation of an ‘Inclusion Rider’, committing BBC Studios Productions to a minimum target of 20% of its teams on all new BBC and third-party UK commissions coming from a Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic background, having a lived experience of a disability, or being from a low-income background.

In the statement, Lee said: “It’s been an absolute privilege to lead BBC Studios Productions for six fulfilling years however, after an incredibly busy but hugely successful 2023, I started to think about what was next for me professionally. As hard as it is to leave such an inspiring business and colleagues who are pioneers in their respective creative and craft fields, I feel now is the right time to explore other opportunities. I’d like to thank all the fantastic production teams across BBC Studios for making this such an enriching and rewarding experience.“