Ahead of the launch of Paramount+ in the UK and Ireland on June 22, Paramount Global is expanding its UK team by tapping Federico Ruiz as commissioning editor, factual and non-scripted for both the streaming platform and Paramount-owned Channel 5.

Reporting to Ben Frow, Paramount’s chief content officer for the UK, Ruiz arrives from Firecracker Films, where he spent the last nine years as head of factual entertainment. In this capacity he oversaw all aspects of the company’s factual output, covering strategy, pitching, development and production.

Ruiz has a longstanding relationship with Channel 5, having delivered several series to the broadcaster and its sister channel 5Star, including The Town The Gypsies Took Over, Dale Farm: The Great Gypsy Eviction and Bad Teen to Ballroom Queen. He also has executive producer credits on such series as My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding (TLC), Dr. Christian Will See You Now (UKTV), Emily Atack: Adulting (UKTV), Open House: The Great Sex Experiment (Channel 4) and the forthcoming Vicky Pattinson: My Dad, Alcohol and Me (Channel 4).

Ruiz will be taking over the portfolio of Emma Westcott, outgoing Channel 5 commissioning editor for factual, with the role expanding to encompass the soon-to-launch Paramount+ platform as well.

“With Channel 5 continuing to show growth and Paramount+ launching next month, Fed brings a wealth of talent and factual experience and will be a great asset to our expanding team,” said Paramount’s Frow in a news release.