Another surprising shake-up came at the end of last year with the announcement that Chris Coelen, CEO of RDF USA, would be leaving the company after four years. Coelen’s exit was decided upon by ‘mutual agreement’ with RDF Group CEO David Frank. No official reason was given for the exit. The shocking move came just after the announcement that ITV Studios fact ent head Natalka Znak was leaving the UK to take up an exec VP post at RDF USA.

The new year brought news concerning Coelen’s replacement – RDF Media Group announced that his position would be filled by current group director of factual, entertainment and comedy, Grant Mansfield. Mansfield is slated to relocate from the UK to LA later this month, where he will retain his current role and begin heading up the U.S. division.

‘Moving Grant to the U.S. is an amazing opportunity for him and us,’ said RDF Media Group CEO David Frank in a statement. ‘I’m hoping that his presence over there will lead to much greater collaboration between our creative teams in the UK and the U.S.’ Before joining RDF in 2002, Mansfield was director of programs at Granada and controller of documentaries, features and arts at ITV.