Gareth Williams

VP, Commissioning

Scripps Networks UK & EMEA

Gareth Williams is Vice President of Commissioning, Scripps Networks UK & EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), a division of Scripps Networks International, one of the leading developers of engaging lifestyle content in the home, food and travel categories for television, the Internet and emerging platforms. Based in London, Williams was appointed in April 2014 and is responsible for overseeing commissioning for all channel brands including Food Network, Travel Channel and Fine Living, which are broadcast in over 20 languages and reach more than 120 countries and territories throughout UK & EMEA.

Gareth oversees all regional production for the network, developing new programming and working with new and existing talent. He has been responsible for new talent joining Food Network such as Donal Skehan whilst strengthening the presence of exiting talent like Siba Mtongana. He has developed new concepts such as Shed and Buried, a Scripps/ITV co-production and executive produces new programming in Scripps’ Italian market.

Prior to joining Scripps, Gareth held the role of Vice-President, Branded Services, BBC Worldwide Latin America & US Hispanic, where he was responsible for the development and execution of the programming strategy for all the BBC Worldwide Channels within Latin America: BBC HD, BBC Entertainment and preschool channel CBeebies.

Before joining Channels, Gareth was the VP of Content & Production, Latin America. Based in Argentina, he oversaw productions such as Dancing with the Stars in Panama, The Greats and What Not to Wear in Brazil, and Make My Body Younger in Chile. Earlier roles at BBC Worldwide included Director of New Programming, where he was responsible for overseeing the creation and development of formats for the world stage as well as holding responsibility for establishing creative hubs across BBC Worldwide’s global production network.

Williams first entered the field of television as a researcher with Granada TV, before joining the BBC as a series producer working on entertainment and features. In 2001, he became Commissioning Executive for UKTV Food. He later became Channel Head. Gareth left UKTV to take up the post of Executive Producer at ITV Daytime, which was followed by joining the BBC Worldwide Programming Team.

Speaking at: Luncheon Roundtables (12:45pm-2:00pm)