Paramount UK has announced the appointment of Federico Ruiz as Commissioning Editor, Factual and Non-Scripted.

Ruiz joins from Firercracker Films where he was Head of Factual Entertainment. He will commission factual titles across the Channel 5 portfolio as well as the streaming service Paramount+, which launches in the UK and Ireland on June 22nd.

Ruiz’s appointment follows the news that commissioning editor Emma Westcott will leave the business this month and the addition of two recent hires – Paul Testar as drama commissioning executive and Kate Ansell as commissioning editor – who joined Paramount at the beginning of the year.

Starting on May 16th, Ruiz will report to Ben Frow, Chief Content Officer, UK, Paramount.

During the last nine years at Firecracker, Ruiz oversaw the company’s Factual Entertainment output with senior executive involvement across company strategy, development, pitching and production.

Ruiz said: “Having made so many series for Ben and his amazing team at Channel 5 over the years this feels like a natural fit. I’m super excited to join a team which is firing on all cylinders and I can’t wait to get stuck in.”

Frow, Chief Content Officer, UK, Paramount, added: “With Channel 5 continuing to show growth and Paramount+ launching next month, Fed brings a wealth of talent and factual experience and will be a great asset to our expanding team.”