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Anne Mensah is to become Head of Independent Drama, Â鶹Éç. While remaining Head of Drama, Â鶹Éç Scotland, her new role will bring together all independent drama output under one cohesive strategy, whilst individual commissioners will retain their own development slates.

Anne will lead a much more co-ordinated approach to all development and commissioning for the independent drama community across Â鶹Éç Wales, Northern Ireland and London indies (England) as well as Scotland.

Anne Mensah says: "Much of the freshest and most distinctive drama of recent years has been produced by independent drama companies. The opportunity to help support growth and innovation in this sector is hugely exciting. I hope this new strategy will help Â鶹Éç Drama continue to go from strength to strength."

Ben Stephenson, Controller, Â鶹Éç Drama Commissioning, says: "Anne's role has been created to ensure a more strategic approach to development and production within the indie sector and to reduce any potential overlap resulting in a more effective process for all. Anne is a brilliant and popular advocate for drama – she is passionate about independent drama and I know will help steer a rosy future for Â鶹Éç Drama.

"The Indie team is extraordinarily strong, led by a number of individuals with real passion for the whole range of Â鶹Éç Drama. Polly Hill, Piers Wenger and Patrick Spence's recent track record speaks for itself – Being Human, Anne Frank, Hustle, Five Minutes Of Heaven to name but a few."

The existing infrastructure of Commissioning Executives (Polly Hill, Sarah Brandist and Lucy Richer – the latter two both currently on maternity leave) as well as the Heads of Drama in the Nations (Patrick Spence, Â鶹Éç Northern Ireland and Piers Wenger, Â鶹Éç Wales) remains the same.

Anne Mensah is editorially responsible for Drama, Â鶹Éç Scotland. Development for Â鶹Éç Scotland Drama will continue to be spearheaded by Anne and the Executive Producers in the department. Anne's team are currently working on Waterloo Road, River City, Hope Springs, PAs and Wallander series two.

Anne will report to Ben Stephenson, Controller, Â鶹Éç Drama Commissioning, while continuing to report into Donalda Mackinnon, Â鶹Éç Scotland Head of Programmes for her Â鶹Éç Scotland role.

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