Colin Jarvis to leave BBC Worldwide

Colin Jarvis, the man responsible for setting up BBC Worldwide's international programme sales arm and selling The Weakest Link to America, is to leave the corporation after almost 40 years. Jarvis, who holds the title of director of international formats, was responsible for striking BBC Wordwide's firstinternational format deal with a major US network when NBC bought the format to The Weakest Link in 2000. He was also part of the team that saw ABC acquire Dancing with the Stars, the format known as Strictly Come Dancing in the UK. During his tenure a number of BBC programmes have been sold overseas and turned into locally-produced versions including The Office and Yes Minister. "Under his watch, millions of viewers around the world became hooked on local versions of British television hits and millions of pounds have been generated for the UK creative economy," said Wayne Garvie, the BBC Worldwide managing director of content and production. "Russians now admire their own Stig and Chileans have their own version of David Brent to deal with but there is only one Colin Jarvis." Jarvis most recently led the rollout of BBC Worldwide's international production company network across Australia, India America and Europe. He began his career in the copyright unit of the BBC in 1970. He moved to the commercial arm BBC Worldwide, then known as BBC Enterprises, in 1977. Jarvis, who was responsible for setting up the international formats business in 1993 is one of BBC Worldwide's longest-serving directors. He spent seven years away from the corporation at London Weekend Television between 1986 and 1993, when BBC Worldwide was established. "Having joined the BBC as soon as I left school and been here most of the last 40 years, I think I'm well overdue a couple of gap years and some time off for good behaviour," said Jarvis, who leaves the corporation in July. • To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email [email protected] or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. • If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".