Louise Pedersen (pictured) is returning to All3Media International to head up the company as CEO following the departure of Steve Macallister.

Pedersen spent 10 years leading the distributor before leaving in 2014 to set up Playground Television’s UK division as MD.

She was replaced by former Zodiak Rights exec Macallister, who has opted for “a change of direction” after 25 years in the TV business, the company said in a statement. He will take the rest of the year off before embarking on new ventures.

Over the past 18 months, Pedersen focused on developing Wolf Hall producer Playground’s slate of high-end British dramas as well as its coproduction slate.

Prior to her previous stint at All3Media International, she worked at Carlton International as sales MD and served as director of international sales for UK broadcaster ITV.

All3Media International is the distribution arm of All3Media Group, which is jointly owned by Discovery Communications and Liberty Global. It comprises 21 companies, including Objective Media Group, Studio Lambert, All3Media America, Lion Television, Maverick Television and One Potato, Two Potato.

In recent months, the company has backed factual indie Caravan and entered into a joint venture with celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay to launch the multimedia production outfit Studio Ramsay.