SBS has split its commissioning team into scripted and non-scripted with Sue Masters and John Godfrey to head up the respective groups.
Godfrey, currently SBS head of documentaries, has been appointed to the role of head of non-scripted content.
Godfrey has been responsible for documentaries, including First Contact, Struggle Street and Go Back to Where You Came From series 2 and 3.
With John’s appointment, Joseph Maxwell, currently SBS commissioning editor, documentaries, has been appointed as head of documentaries.
Masters, currently SBS executive producer drama, has been appointed to the role of head of scripted content.
Masters has developed and delivered projects including The Family Law, The Principal and 2016 series Deep Water.
The changes follow the departure of SBS head of commissioned content Alison Sharman who will return to her family in the United Kingdom at the end of April after three years with SBS.
The non-scripted team will be responsible for documentaries, food, entertainment and factual entertainment, and the scripted team will be responsible for drama and comedy. SBS will also be recruiting new commissioning editor roles within both the scripted and unscripted teams.
Director of TV and online content, Marshall Heald, said: “We thank Alison for her invaluable contribution to SBS. In her time Alison has led an esteemed slate of great commissioned content across SBS, including the coup of bringing renowned chef Heston Blumenthal to the network. Alison was also instrumental in great series like The Family Law, Struggle Street, The Principal, Mardi Gras, Rachel Koo’s Kitchen Notebook and, in production, Deep Water. She is an exceptionally talented program-maker and we wish her all the best for the future," he said.
“The SBS Charter is at the heart of SBS commissioned content and these changes are about ensuring we are well-placed to continue our momentum of audience growth and to leverage new opportunities across key genres in scripted and non-scripted content that delivers distinctive, inspiring and entertaining programs for Australian audiences.”