BBC Shocker! Charlotte Moore Quits As Content Chief To Join Sony & ‘The Crown’ Producer Left Bank

Jake Kanter

27 February 2025 at 5:07 am·3-min read

In a shock move, BBC content chief Charlotte Moore is leaving the British broadcaster to become CEO of Left Bank Pictures and creative director of international production at Sony Pictures Television.

Moore, who was courted by Disney over an international role earlier this year, will succeed Andy Harries, who stepped back to become Sony-owned Left Bank’s executive chairman on Wednesday.

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The creative director role is newly-created by Sony and will see Moore report to president Wayne Garvie and work closely with Matthew Justice, EVP head of UK and Europe. She joins later this year.

Moore has overseen the BBC’s television output since 2016, adding audio and sport to her portfolio in 2020, when she was elevated to chief content officer and joined the BBC board after losing out to Tim Davie in the race to become director general. She is comfortably the UK’s most powerful content executive.

Moore said she was “ready to take on a new challenge” after a tenure in which she has overseen hits including The Traitors and Gavin & Stacey: The Finale.

“It’s an honour to be joining the brilliant team at Left Bank to become CEO of one of the UK’s most successful production companies, which is an absolute credit to Andy Harries,” she said. “It’s been a privilege to lead the BBC creatively through a time of such unprecedented change, championing the very best British storytelling across radio and TV.”

Garvie added: “One of the outstanding executives of her generation, it will be fantastic to have her leading the phenomenal team at Left Bank into a new era.

“In her storeyed and esteemed career at the BBC, she has been an integral force in continuing to make our national broadcaster a globally renowned institution of the highest regard, and one of which we can all be immensely proud.”

BBC director general Tim Davie described Moore as a “creative powerhouse” who leaves the corporation in a position of strength.

“Charlotte’s leadership has helped transform the BBC in a world of intense competition and choice. She has taken bold decisions to deliver remarkable growth and set us up for further success in a digital age, on both the national and global stage,” he said in a glowing tribute.

“Everyone who has worked with Charlotte has huge admiration and respect for her – and what she has achieved for the BBC. She is passionate about the power of the UK’s creative industries and the role of the BBC at their heart.”

Moore’s decision to quit the BBC ends a period of unprecedented stability. Her eight-and-a-half years running TV means she recently surpassed the late Jana Bennett’s spell in a similar role at the BBC.

Add in Moore’s three years as BBC1 controller and she overshadows some of her most decorated predecessors, including the giant figure of Sir Huw Wheldon, who was responsible for Dad’s Army during a decade-long tenure as TV boss 50 years ago.

These jobs are hard to give up. They remain influential and coveted, handing incumbents spending power that stretches to billions and the chance to shape national conversations.

Moore’s move to Sony/Left Bank is all the more remarkable when you consider that she rebuffed a charm offensive from Disney to stay put at the BBC. Disney wanted Moore to become its next SVP of Original Content in EMEA, but she declined.

Moore’s exit will spark widespread speculation over who will replace her at the BBC. Contenders are likely to include Netflix’s UK content chief Anne Mensah, while BBC unscripted boss Kate Phillips may be an internal candidate who could feature in the conversation.

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