Rikesh Desai director, licensing, U.K. & EMEA, BBC Studios, has moved on from BBC Studios, leaving a team of capable individuals in his place.

Mandy Thwaites, director, magazines, BBC Studios, will be taking on additional responsibilities for the merchandising team, while Mat Way, global director, live entertainment, will also work with the gaming and interactive group. Stephen Davies will remain as managing director, consumer products and licensing, BBC Studios.

"Rikesh has been a driving force behind our merchandise and gaming licensing activity for the last few years, and he generated a significant amount of new business and growth for the company, the recent ground-breaking 'Doctor Who' game releases and the tidal wave of 'Bluey' merchandise deals to name a few," says Davies. "It's fair to say that he has left those businesses in terrific shape. Mandy and Mat both bring passion, energy and commercial nous to carry on the excellent work taking place across the consumer products and licensing division here at BBC Studios."

"It couldn't be a better time for me to be joining forces with the incredible merchandise team," says Thwaites. "We have the launch of 'Bluey' products about to launch in the U.K. off the back of the show's massive success in Australia and the U.S. And then 'Bluey' is off to Europe. 'Hey Duggee' will lead the way as we're soon to roll him out, too, across European territories. And sustainability is top of my to-do list, we've made great strides in this area, but there is still work to do."  

"I am thrilled to be joining the gaming and interactive business where there is already a deeply knowledgeable and passionate team in place," says Way. "Both the live entertainment and gaming & interactive businesses provide really exciting opportunities to bring our brands to life and engage fans in new ways, and given the synergy between the two areas, I am looking forward to exploring new ways of working together, too."