NBCUniversal International Television Production is launching a unit dedicated to unscripted program development.

David Mortimer (pictured), senior VP of factual and entertainment, will head up the new division, which aims to create “high-impact, large-scale, returnable” shiny-floor entertainment shows and high-end fact ent for global audiences, the company said in a statement.

The development team will work alongside NBCUniversal’s in-house unscripted production companies Monkey Kingdom and Chocolate Media – both in the UK – Australia’s Matchbox Pictures and Canada’s Lark Productions, which has a strategic partnership with International Television Production.

“We are determined to be the home of the next big international format hit, and see the UK as the engine that drives our international television business,” Mortimer said. “I believe that our unique approach to self-funded development will broker a more collaborative relationship with the broadcasters when piloting new ideas.”

Mortimer joined the company last May from indie Fever Media, with a mandate to grow its unscripted business. Before that, he spent 15 years in senior commissioning and production roles at the BBC. He created the hit format Dragon’s Den and his credits include Britain’s Best Sitcom, Fighting The War and Great Britons.