Mark Freeland to head BBC Comedy

From the BBC Press Office:

Mark Freeland is to take up one of the key creative roles in the BBC...when he returns to the BBC as its newly appointed Head of Comedy for Vision Studios.

Mark joins from Hartswood Films and takes up his post in September, bringing with him over 20 years of experience in TV and comedy. He will be in charge of in-house comedy production across all four television networks as well as radio comedy and entertainment, working with some of Britain's most acclaimed producers, writers and performers.

Between 2002 and 2005, Mark was Head of Comedy Commissioning at the BBC, and responsible for commissioning, executive producing and developing comedy across the four BBC channels – working closely with in-house and independent production teams.

The appointment follows the departure of Jon Plowman, who is leaving after 27 years at the Corporation.