AMSTERDAM ­– Global content creator, producer and distributor Endemol Shine Group has strengthened its Senior Legal team with the appointment of James Ward to the newly-created role of Deputy General Counsel.

Ward joins from 21st Century Fox, where since 2013 he has served as Deputy General Counsel for Europe and Asia working across corporate development, legal affairs and Mergers and Acquisition in European, Middle East and Asian media sectors.

Based at the Group’s Amsterdam headquarters, and reporting to General Counsel Emma Moloney, Ward will oversee the existing team of Senior Counsels from April.

Previously, Ward has served as General Counsel at the Rotana Media Group in the Middle East, as Senior Vice President at News Corporation in Asia and was Executive Director, Ventures and Business Development at The Walt Disney Company. He has also worked in private practice in London and New Zealand.

Endemol Shine Group last year produced more than 700 productions in 78 territories including global hits such asMasterChef, Big Brother, Your Face Sounds Familiar as well as critically acclaimed dramas Bron, Peaky Blinders and Black Mirror. Endemol Shine Group’s content generates more than 2 billion monthly views online, with titles such as Mr. Bean now among the world’s most popular entertainment brands on platforms including YouTube and Facebook.