Siân O’Callaghan has joined ITV Studios’ Welsh label Boom as managing director, with Louise Allen and Rachel Evans tapped as creative directors.
O’Callaghan joins from BBC Studios, where she was director of production for drama, comedy, and fiction. Succeeding Nia Thomas, who stepped down after a 14-year run in March, she will drive creative and business strategy at Boom.
Louise Allen, with a long list of reality and entertainment credits, is joining as creative director with a remit to expand Boom’s original unscripted programming for streamers and U.K. broadcasters. Rachel Evans, previously director of programs and interim MD, has been upped to creative director, devising the creative strategy around Welsh-language and scripted programming, overseeing Boom’s S4C slate sacross factual, entertainment, kids, digital and drama. Both report to O’Callaghan.
“Securing first-class creative leaders like Siân O’Callaghan and Louise Allen to join Rachel Evans reflects the ambitions of Boom,” said Tim Carter, MD for U.K. unscripted at ITV Studios. “Siân’s strategic expertise in managing some of the U.K.’s most iconic drama series, combined with Louise’s track record in delivering global hits and Rachel’s deep understanding of Welsh-language multi-genre and scripted content, is a game-changing combination and positions Boom perfectly to continue expanding its slate.”
O’Callaghan added, “The company has flair, drive, creativity, and imagination, and has built an enviable reputation for delivering outstanding content. I am hugely excited to join a team of such calibre which can deliver ITV Studios’ ambition for Boom. The time is right for a new challenge, and I’m delighted to be leading Boom into the next phase of its development and success.”
Allen added, “Joining Boom at this moment feels exactly right. The creative foundations are exceptional, and the opportunity to build bold, globally ambitious unscripted formats from here is one I couldn’t pass up. I’ve spent my career making shows built to travel, and I can’t wait to bring that experience and drive to this next chapter.”
Evans noted, “I’m passionate about Boom, its people and its outstanding track record in devising, creating and delivering multi-genre content in Welsh and English for the past 30 years. Siân and Louise bring extensive and exceptional leadership and production experience, and we look forward to warmly welcoming them both to the company to help us build on its reputation as a leading production label from Wales to the world.”
