Lucas Church, chairman of Endemol Shine U.K. and of Endemol Shine Group’s commercial board, will leave the company this fall.

His decision follows his role in bringing together key areas of the business since the launch of Endemol Shine Group at the beginning of the year. This has included the recent formation of the commercial partnerships team, led by managing director, commercial partnerships, Branco Scherer, as well as working with U.K. chief executive officer Richard Johnston in uniting Endemol’s and Shine’s businesses locally.  

In addition to his role as chairman of Endemol Shine U.K., Church oversees international commercial business across the group in areas including new ventures, digital video, gaming, apps and brand relations.

He also played a central role in launching and overseeing the company’s digital channel network Endemol Beyond, which has been rolled out across multiple markets and is now one of the leading global Premium Channel Networks, with an estimated 1.7 billion monthly views. 

“I think the time will be right later this year for me to put my mind to something new, but I know I’m leaving our commercial, digital and U.K. teams in the best possible hands,” says Church. “I feel incredibly lucky to have been part of such a unique company and wish everyone here all the very best.  While I’m very much looking forward to the future, I know I’ll miss all my friends and colleagues who’ve grown up with me over many years in this fantastic company.”

“It’s hard to overstate Lucas’s contribution to the business over years of transformational change and growth,” says Tim Hincks, president, Endemol Shine Group. “He and I have worked together through memorable times, during which he has remained an invaluable colleague and a great friend. When he leaves us later this year he will do so with my very best wishes and wholehearted thanks.”

Church first joined the company as head of business affairs at U.K. label Initial in 1992. He went on to hold numerous senior positions within the U.K. group including head of legal and business affairs, commercial director and chief operating officer. He was appointed chief executive of Endemol U.K. in 2012 and took an additional international role as chair of the group commercial board in 2013. Church was promoted to his current position as chairman of Endemol Shine U.K. when Endemol’s U.K. business was combined with that of Shine Group in January.