Reporting directly to STV Studios CEO David Mortimer, Mr Waters will join from Vice Studios Group where he serves as CFO, overseeing global financial strategy.

Prior to this he held various roles at BBC Studios spanning 16 years including commercial finance director and content investment director, where he partnered with commercial and creative leaders across the organisation to grow their genre businesses and deliver profitable returns from IP. He has also provided consultancy services to The LEGO Group and production studio, Anton Corporation.

STV Studios comprises 21 production partners who are responsible for series such as Blue Lights for BBC, The Fortune Hotel for ITV, Criminal Record for Apple TV+, The Witness coming soon to Netflix and Bridge of Lies for BBC/Game Show Network. Mr Waters will work closely with Mr Mortimer, Paul Sheehan (chief operating officer) and Jamie Munro (chief commercial officer) alongside the labels to continue to drive the positive growth trajectory of the business both within the UK and internationally.

Mr Waters will succeed STV Studios Director of Finance and Integration, Stuart Mullin, who joined the business following the acquisition of Greenbird Media in July 2023 and departs in summer 2025, having successfully managed the integration of Greenbird into STV Studios.

Mr Waters said: “I’ve been impressed by the growth of STV Studios in recent years and I’m a fan of so many of the shows produced by its talented group of labels. It’s an exciting business with huge growth potential both in the UK and internationally. I’m very much looking forward to joining the team.”

Mr Mortimer said: “Colin joins us at a very exciting time for the business. Having become a vibrant mix of multi-genre production partners over the past few years, STV Studios has shown considerable growth in both creative firepower and earnings potential.

“Colin brings with him a fantastic wealth of experience from his impressive roles across the sector and we’re very much looking forward to welcoming him to the team as we enter the next stage of our growth journey.”

“I’d also like to thank Stuart Mullin for his commitment to the business, it’s been a pleasure working with him over the past two years.”