Endemol announced the appointment of Cathy Payne as CEO of its integrated distribution business. In her new role Payne will oversee the programme distribution of the merged operation for Endemol Group. She moves to London to take up the position and will report to Tom Toumazis, chief commercial officer of Endemol Group. The appointment follows Endemol’s acquisition in January 2009 of Southern Star Group, one of the largest distributors of English language television programming in the world with a strong history of third party representation. Payne held the position of chief executive of Southern Star International since April 2000. In her capacity she has been responsible for the overall management of the international division. Meanwhile Caroline Torrance will step down as executive director of scripted programming and distribution at Endemol International in September 2009. Torrance was appointed director of scripted programming and distribution at Endemol International in January 2006.