Leach appointed Advisory Chair for the Guardian Edinburgh International Festival
October 11, 2013
Executive Chair of The Guardian Edinburgh International Television Festival, Elaine Bedell, has announced the appointment of Melanie Leach, Managing Director of Twofour Broadcast as the new Advisory Chair today. Leach takes over from Karl Warner who held the position for the duration of the 38th festival year.
As Managing Director, Leach has guided Twofour Broadcast to the title of Indie of the Year at the Broadcast Awards 2010, and the company has enjoyed 10 consecutive years of growth during her tenure. An award winning Executive Producer, Leach has looked after hit shows including the much acclaimed Harry’s Arctic Heroes (BBC One), which documented the inspirational challenges that HRH Prince Harry and four wounded soldiers faced in a trek to the North Pole. She has also Executive Produced Splash! (ITV), Cornwall with Caroline Quentin (ITV1), A Night of Heroes (ITV1), Alex Polizzi: The Fixer (BBC Two), and The Hotel Inspector (Channel 5).
The Festival Advisory Chair is responsible for the editorial direction of the TV Festival’s programme – from commissioning session ideas to overseeing final production. Working closely with the Festival Office, the Advisory Chair brings together a committee from across the entire industry to advise and produce festival sessions.
On her appointment, Leach said: “The Edinburgh International Festival has consecutively managed to hold its position as the essential annual event for the international television and media industry. I’m looking forward to playing an integral role in continuing its extraordinary success and creating an inspiring and innovative festival that will challenge, entertain and offer valuable and practical insights.”
Bedell, GEITF Executive Chair said, ‘’Melanie Leach is an inspirational and dynamic leader. This is great news for the ongoing success of the Festival, and we are confident that as new advisory chair Melanie will help make next year’s festival the best to date.”
Leach will take up the post of Executive Chair on 16th October 2013.