Rachel Job Takes the Helm of Banijay Rights After Executives Vanish

Rachel Job, former SVP Unscripted at All3Media International, has been confirmed to take on an EVP‑level role overseeing both scripted and unscripted rights for the newly merged Banijay and All3Media group.

Her appointment comes amid a wave of voluntary redundancies that have swept through the distribution arm, including Simon Cox, Claire Jago, Maartje Horchner and Chris Stewart.

The reshuffle follows the completion of the Banijay‑All3Media merger and is part of a broader effort to eliminate duplication and hit a €50 million synergy target within a year.

The changes also affect Banijay’s international scripted division, where Denis Leroy has departed and Johannes Jensen has moved back to a scripted role in Banijay Nordics. These exits pre‑date the merger but are now crystallising the new organisational structure.

The company has been running a consultancy process for staff, which is nearing its final stage, and insiders say a full announcement on the new business shape will likely be released before MIPCOM next month.

Cathy Payne has taken over leadership of the new‑look Banijay Rights team, which now manages a catalog of more than 265,000 hours across over 170 production labels. , Job’s experience working on high‑profile titles such as *The Traitors*, *Gogglebox* and *Cash Cab*, as well as third‑party deals for *Michael Jackson: The Trial* and *Taylor Swift: A Love Story*, positions her well to steer the expanded content portfolio.

The group plans to showcase its slate—including Channel 4 drama *Maya*, BBC series *Reputation*, the entertainment format *Last One Standing* and a return of the factual series *One Born Every Minute*—at MIPCOM from its newly branded Banijay House.

## Background & Context

The merger between Banijay and All3Media closed in early 2024, bringing together two of Europe’s largest content distributors. The deal has prompted a review of overlapping roles across the combined organisation, leading to voluntary redundancies for several long‑serving executives.

Simon Cox, who had joined Banijay in 2021 after a decade as Head of Acquisitions at Endemol Shine Group, exited alongside Claire Jago, a veteran sales executive from Endemol Shine, and Maartje Horchner, who had been with All3Media since its inception in 2004.

Chris Stewart, senior VP of Sales for the UK & Ireland, also accepted a voluntary redundancy package.

Louise Pedersen, CEO of All3Media International, had left the company after the merger’s completion, paving the way for Cathy Payne to steer the new‑look Banijay Rights unit. Job, who joined All3Media in 2019 as history‑UK programming chief, brought experience in both in‑house production and third‑party acquisitions.

Her new role will cover the full spectrum of rights across scripted and unscripted content for the merged entity.

Denis Leroy’s exit from the international scripted team comes after a decade at Banijay, during which he led scripted format and literary IP strategy. Johannes Jensen, who had headed scripted business within that team, returned to a director‑level scripted role in Banijay Nordics.

With these departures, Steve Matthews remains the sole senior member of the scripted division.

## What People Are Saying

Industry insiders speculate that the consolidation of executives will sharpen focus on in‑house content. Sources note that with over 170 production labels under one roof, Banijay is likely to prioritize its internal catalog over external acquisitions.

The reduced number of leaders coordinating across labels could make it harder to fund European co‑productions, especially those involving multiple producers or non‑English language markets. A spokesperson for Banijay declined to comment on the specifics of the organisational changes, .

Commentators highlight that the new EVP role held by Job will oversee both scripted and unscripted rights, a move that suggests a strategic push toward integrated content development. Meanwhile, the scripted division’s leaner structure may signal a shift toward smaller, more tightly managed co‑production projects.

As Banijay seeks to realise €50 million in synergies, analysts predict that eliminating duplication will be central to the company’s efficiency strategy.

The restructuring has also sparked discussion about the balance between sales and creative functions. The voluntary redundancies included high‑profile sales executives, which may signal a shift in how Banijay positions itself in negotiations with broadcasters and streaming platforms.

The upcoming announcement at MIPCOM is expected to clarify these strategic priorities.

## What Happens Next

Banijay Rights will attend MIPCOM next month from its newly branded Banijay House, opposite the Palais des Festivals. The group will present a slate featuring Channel 4 drama *Maya*, BBC legal series *Reputation*, entertainment format *Last One Standing*, and the long‑running factual series *One Born Every Minute*.

It will also house flagship formats such as *The Traitors*, *Big Brother*, *Survivor*, *Fear Factor* and *Deal or No Deal* under a single umbrella.

Ahead of the event, insiders expect a full announcement detailing the new business shape, including leadership appointments and strategic focus areas.

The company has stated that it is still finalising its combined leadership team and organisational structure, and that no official confirmation will be made until the merger’s integration is complete. Observers will be watching closely to see how Banijay positions itself against competitors in a distribution landscape.

In the coming weeks, executives and industry watchers will monitor how the new EVP role functions and whether the leaner scripted division can sustain its co‑production pipeline. The outcomes of this transition will shape Banijay’s competitive edge as it navigates a crowded market of global content providers.