Core Media Group has hired former ITV exec Clare Thompson as creative director.

She will develop original programming and strategy for the United Kingdom and Europe and drive investment partnerships with international producers out of the company’s recently-launched London outpost.

Announced during the Realscreen Summit in January, the Idol and So You Think You Can Dance owner’s British operation is headed up by former ITV director of television Simon Shaps, who had worked with Thompson there.

“Clare has consistently shown that she has the flair and determination to help create great television and her work with Ignite added a new dimension to her approach to development,” said Shaps, Core’s managing director of international content and production, in a statement.

Thompson was previously the joint managing director for Ignite, a consultancy she co-founded to run content development and commissioning strategy sessions for networks such as the BBC, Channel 4 and MTV. Before that she spent eight years in various development positions at ITV.