I’ve held leadership positions as either Director of Function or COO in some of the most pioneering media companies, leading them through seismic shifts in technology, distribution and audience expectations, guiding them to innovate and develop ways in which they engage with audiences and generate growth, achieving BAFTA and RTS Awards along the way.My career to date is divided into two key periods, firstly a fifteen year run of senior internal positions; from Director of Programming and Communications at Telewest through to Commissioning Editor at Channel 4 and Director of Programming and Chief Operating Officer at sit-up Ltd a star performing start-up. Followed more recently by a period of interim positions spanning large broadcasters such as the BBC right through to start-up companies often focussed on creative strategy.The consistent thread within this broad range of leadership roles is my determination to deliver on innovation and change requiring constant honing of creative flair in management, commercial savvy and a commitment to building and retaining audiences and revenue streams.I am used to working in complex and challenging environments, setting stretch targets, bringing together efficient and effective people in well-structured operations, flexible and fit for purpose in order to deliver positive results.
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Digital Consultant To The Ceo And The BoardComic Relief Nov 2016 - Jun 2018London, United KingdomHired by the new CEO to lead work reviewing all digital output across the organisation and sector with a view to identifying how a broadcast model such as the Telethon could be re-imagined in an online networked world.Achievements:• Set up internal and external partner review of content and knowledge across the organisation. Undertook workshops to identify creative opportunities and efficiencies. Put in place new Exec Director of Digital.• Commissioned and ran development projects delivering ideas and proposals for innovation to the board.“Deborah grasped the nettle and brought her digital vision and considerable organisationalexperience to bear at Comic Relief leading change in a sensitive way. In addition setting up externalpartnerships and bringing fresh talent, new skills, ideas and structure to the organisation.Deborah provided vital acceleration to the company wide change programme.”Liz Warner, CEO Comic Relief -
Founding MdFreerange Dec 2015 - Oct 2016London, United KingdomBrought in by Founding Creative CEO to develop initial idea to proven creative concept and business model.Achievements:• Creative proposal defined and written supported by commercial business model ready for first round fundraising.• Wide consultation with digital content publishers and digital distributors to define approach to market.
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Advisor To David Abraham And Executive ProducerChannel 4 Feb 2013 - Sep 2013London, United KingdomProviding strategic support to David Abraham at Channel 4 and Executive Producing creative content for Channel 4’s inaugural RTS Cambridge Convention.Achievement:• Highest delegate attendance of recent period and critical acclaim.“Deborah... supported me in my role as Chair which inevitably involved engaging senior stakeholders in the media business around the world. I’d be delighted to recommend Deborah to you and give a personal reference to provide further detail as required.“David Abraham CEO Channel 4 -
Content Consultant To The CeoIggy Jan 2012 - Jul 2012Warwick, United KingdomCommissioned to design, source and cost distance learning digital course content proposals for launch of subscription website in Sept 2012. Targeting 11 – 19 age group.Achievements:• Identified and recommended partnership organisations for content development.• Delivered costed proposals within agreed time frame. -
Head Of Operations And Public Affairs, Bbc LearningBbc Television Dec 2010 - Nov 2011Appointed to drive strategic change within BBC Learning. Responsible for policy, strategy, public affairs and all department operations in order to integrate Learning across all BBC output whilst re-locating the department to the new BBC North headquarters in Salford.Key achievement:• Delivered uninterrupted operations across television, online and outreach events during move period. Annual Budget £60 million.“Deborah oversaw a major cross department staffing re-organisation.This has set BBC Learning on the road to a more creative and efficient department”Saul Nassé, Controller BBC Learning -
Independent ConsultingIncluding Rdf Jan 2008 - Nov 2010London, United KingdomWorked independently and with partners to develop editorial content for new media; focusing on features based content with commercial potential. Shaping the idea from inception to business plan.Breaking to work with RDF Series Producing Channel 4’s hit factual entertainment series ‘The Secret Millionaire’.Key achievement:Each of the 8 x 60 viewing figures were at the peak of Channel 4’s expectations and achieved bonus payments for RDF.
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Commissioning Editor EducationChannel 4 2003 - 2007Recruited by Heather Rabbatts MD of C4 Education to lead the radical turn around in strategic vision and content commissioned through the department. Responsible for commissions directly targeting the 14-19 audience.Achievements:• Accountable for 60+ hours of television every year budget approx £7million.• Delivered the vision that led to creative transformation of C4 Education output. Commissioning a range of series,singles and shorts across features, factual entertainment, gameshows, documentaries, drama and animation.• Led day to day relationships with government and regulators to ensure consistent understanding of strategic direction and impact.• Delivered complex partnership productions including creative, commercial, government and charitable stakeholders resulting in breakthrough peak time series ‘Bricking It’.• Consistently winning awards and nominations at BAFTA, RTS and others.
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Director Of ProgrammingSit-Up Ltd Jun 2000 - Oct 2002Headhunted by Joint Founding Directors to join the Board as a Founding Director. The UK’s first interactive video content provider, set up in 2000 to create and exploit “sit-up” entertainment opportunities in convergence of digital TV and Internet.2000-2002 Director Of Programming And Board MemberAppointed to launch bid-up.tv with responsibility for all television and online content.Achievement:• Developed a channel format which was sold within 5 years of launch for approx £170M.April-November 2002 Chief Operating OfficerAppointed to cover responsibilities during fund raising period.Responsibility for P&L of bid-up.tv. Managing a team of 300 staff across television production, marketing, buying, call centre, warehousing and distribution, finance and facilities.“Deborah’s vision for the channel combined with her excellent management and communication skills ensuredthat it won both critical acclaim and that it became a highly successful transactional business”Ashley Faull and John Egan Founding Directors sit-up Ltd
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Director Of ProgrammingOndigital 1999 - 2000Responsible for creative strategy, commission and management of all original production.Achievements:• Launched two channels and commissioned all programming to deliver ONdigital’s UEFA Champions League football coverage.• Broadcasting every match.• Achieved RTS nomination for Innovative programming in Sports.
Deborah Ward Education Details
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English And Drama
Frequently Asked Questions about Deborah Ward
What is Deborah Ward's role at the current company?
Deborah Ward's current role is Managing Director/COO Digital/Broadcast Media. Advisor/Project Lead Content and Strategy.BAFTA and RTS Award Winner..
What schools did Deborah Ward attend?
Deborah Ward attended Goldsmiths College, U. Of London.
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