Profile: Lorraine Heggessey
05 Nov 07
Lorraine Heggessey became CEO of talkbackTHAMES in May 2005.
talkbackTHAMES is one of the UK’s largest production companies, producing over 2,000 hours of programming a year for all major channels and responsible for award-winning output including The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent, The Apprentice, Grand Designs, The Bill, Green Wing, IT Crowd and Never Mind the Buzzcocks.
Prior to joining the company, Lorraine was the first female Controller of BBC ONE, a position she took up in 2000. She oversaw the channel’s re-branding and a comprehensive shake-up of its schedule, with particular emphasis on new drama including Waking The Dead and Spooks and revitalising Saturday night with shows such as the highly successful Strictly Come Dancing. She also brought a new impetus to factual programming while her background in journalism led to a greater emphasis on investigative programmes playing in peaktime. During Lorraine's controllership, BBC ONE became the biggest investor in comedy.
Lorraine originally joined the BBC in October 1997 as Head of BBC Children’s. Two years later, she was appointed BBC Production’s Director of Programmes and Deputy Chief Executive, before taking over as Controller just a year later.
Lorraine has a long track record in making current affairs, documentaries and popular factual programmes for the BBC, ITV and Channel 4, as well as in the independent sector.
