Derek McLean is Lime Pictures new appointment

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Lime Pictures, the Liverpool-based TV production company behind shows such as Hollyoaks and The Only Way is Essex, has announced the appointment of Derek McLean, Creative Director for Entertainment at the BBC, as Head of Non-Scripted Programming.

The company, which also makes Geordie Shore, Fresh Meat and House of Anubis, saw turnover nudge closer to the £60m mark in 2012 while profits remained largely flat.

The annual figures come as the company also announced it had swooped on the BBC to appoint Derek McLean to head up its non-scripted programmes.

McLean is expected to take up his role at the company’s London office in August 2013 and his appointment completes the newly formed creative leadership team as he joins Bryan Kirkwood, Head of Continuing Drama and Rebecca Hodgson, Head of Drama. All three Creative Heads will report to joint Managing Directors Kate Little and Claire Poyser.

McLean has overseen the development and launch of a number of recent BBC programmes including That Puppet Game Show, Beat The Pack and Cashpoint.

Prior to the BBC, he commissioned John Bishop’s Britain while head of Objective North, and has also worked as a producer at Endemol.

Joint MDs Claire Poyser and Kate Little said in a statement: “His strong breadth of experience and knowledge across genres and broadcasters will be a huge asset to the business.

“We now have a first class team in place to grow the business both locally and internationally as we strengthen our links with the US and beyond.”

McLean added: “I am delighted to be returning to the All3media family and joining Lime at such an exciting point in the company’s evolution. With genre-busting shows like TOWIE and Geordie Shore on the slate, there’s already a fantastic pedigree to build on.”

In newly filed accounts, Lime posted sales of £58.7m and pre-tax profit of £10.9m, down slightly from £11.4m in 2011. Retained profit for the year to September 2012 was down by just £200,000 to £8.1m.

Notes accompanying the newly filed accounts said: “The commercial environment in which the company operates remains competitive but the directors believe (the) position as one of the leading television production companies will enable it to maintain its current position in the future.”

Lime Pictures, which is owned by £470m-turnover All 3 Media, declined to make any additional comment on the annual results.

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