BBC Studios promotes Phil Hardman to SVP, GM – Asia

BBC Studios has announced two elevations. The global content company has elevated Phil Hardman to SVP and GM – Asia, and Ryan Shiotani to SVP content, Asia and Greater China. With this, the company will align key markets of India, South East Asia, Japan and Korea, which will be led by Hardman hereon.

Hardman was previously SVP, commercial strategy for Asia, and last year he also took on the acting lead role of SVP and GM for Greater China. Shiotani was the SVP and GM of South and South East Asia before the elevation.

In this new role, Hardman will lead the global distribution teams working in Singapore, Mumbai and Seoul, and be responsible for developing the Asia growth strategy across the region, in territories including India, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam.

Shiotani will serve as the regional editorial lead across existing and new branded services, as well as advising on brand and content strategy in Asia and Greater China.

This organisational change streamlines the BBC Studios APAC business structure. Apart from Hardman, the Asian leadership team also comprises Ding Ke, SVP and GM, Greater China, and Fiona Lang, GM Australia and New Zealand. The trio will report to Jon Penn, EVP, APAC, BBC Studios.

Penn said, “Phil has demonstrated through his contribution over recent years that he is a strategic thinker and leader who will help turbo-charge our growth in the region. Along with Fiona and Ding Ke, I have three formidable commercial leaders in APAC who will help us identify and build on the opportunities in this rapidly evolving market. The key to our success lies in our premium offering and I am pleased that Ryan, who is a consummate content expert, will be our editorial lead, working across our services and brands in Asia and Greater China.”