12 Yard, part of ITV Studios, has announced that Michael Mannes has been appointed Managing Director, while Liz Gaskell is to take up the role of Creative Director, forming a new management team at the label following the departure of Andy Culpin to 110% Content.
Together they have over 25 years of experience at 12 Yard, Mannes having joined in 2005, while Gaskell has spent 13 years there during two separate stints. They will lead the label – which has offices in London and Glasgow – into a new era as they look to build upon its expanding and diverse slate of original entertainment formats that includes BBC Two’s innovative panel show, I’ll Get This, Dave’s Comedians Giving Lectures, Celebrity Coach Trip for E4, Cruise Trip which is airing on Channel 4 later this year and Catchpoint, its co-pro with fellow ITV Studios label, Possessed, for BBC One.
During his time at 12 Yard, where Mannes has most recently held the position of Deputy MD, he has produced programmes across a range of channels, including primetime BBC One quiz shows Who Dares Wins and In It to Win It, ITV’s Big Star’s Little Star, and Insert Name Here on BBC Two. Prior to this he was at the BBC, where he worked on the first series of Strictly Come Dancing, while he started his career at Planet 24 on The Big Breakfast.
Gaskell has been Head of Development at the label since 2011, creating over 20 original series with her team in that time, including Big Star’s Little Star, Comedians Giving Lectures and I’ll Get This. Previous to 12 Yard she worked at a wide range of companies including Planet 24, Hat Trick, North One and the BBC.