MUMBAI: Keshet UK, part of Keshet International, has appointed Sammy Nourmand to the newly created role of Chief Operating Officer, as it steps up the pace of its UK production business and underlines its commitment to the UK market. Nourmand’s appointment is effective immediately giving him oversight of ITV’s version of Keshet’s interactive talent show RISING STAR and several more projects in the development pipeline with UK broadcasters.
Based in London, Nourmand will report to Alon Shtruzman, CEO of Keshet International which also has local production offices in Canada, Australia, Keshet/DCP in the US in addition to the company’s distribution arm.
Sammy brings over 20 years’ experience in the UK’s independent TV sector, having worked on a large number of shows including big budget productions for broadcasters in both the UK and US. He was most recently CEO of DCD Media before leaving in late 2012 to take up various consultancy roles with UK and US-based production companies, includingKeshet.
Keshet International, CEO, Alon Shtruzman said “As our UK office goes from strength to strength I’m delighted to have Sammy on board to navigate our journey during this significant growth period. The experience he has built over many years in the industry will be a great asset to us.”
Sammy Nourmand added “The lure of Keshet's impressive track record in creating successful shows and Alon's irrepressible enthusiasm were hard to resist. I'm pleased to be joining Keshet at this exciting time.”
Nourmand began his career at Michael Hurll Television, working on the British Comedy Awards. He joined September Films in 1998 and went on to become CEO in 2005. Under his stewardship, the company enjoyed its longest period of sustained growth and stability, more than trebling its turnover and establishing a US office. It was acquired by DCD Media in August 2007.
Nourmand served as DCD’s Interim COO in 2009 and became an Executive Director in 2011 before his appointment as CEO in February in 2012. During this timehe played a key role setting up joint ventures with UK production companies Matchlight, Rize Television USA and bringing Sequence Post Production into the Group.
