Shiver founder Mark Robinson to cut ties with ITV
Mark Robinson has announced he is to leave Shiver – the ITV Studios label he set up in 2007 – at the end of this month.
It means the creative director will sever a 28-year association with ITV.
He said: “Leaving Shiver, and ITV, has been a very difficult and emotional decision to make.
“I wanted to be around to help support the transition of Shiver into new management, and to celebrate the label’s 10th birthday last Autumn. With this now complete, it’s exactly the right time for my own new adventure.”
He added: “Listening to MD Tim Carter’s plans it is clear there are exciting times ahead and I wish my colleagues all the very best and hope that production in the North and South continues to thrive.
“I have loved all the times I have spent in Leeds, Salford and London and made many friends for life.
“I will now be able to puruse some fresh challenges.
“I’m not sure if there has ever been a more exciting time to be working in television in the North of England, and I want to be at the heart of it.”
Mr Robinson has been involved in more than 200 different projects on behalf of ITV, Channel Four, Channel 5, BBC1, BBC2, Gold and Sky.
He began working for Tyne Tees Television in Newcastle in 1991 and went on to work at Yorkshire Television Features in 1998, then became head of development at Granada Factual North.
John Whiston, managing director, continuing drama & head of ITV in the North, said: “Mark has stood for two things in his long tenure at ITV – intelligent, popular programming and The North.
“He has been a stalwart champion of both, winning many lucrative commissions for ITV Studios and delivering many brilliant programmes all the while doing so resolutely from The North.
“He launched and built up a great brand in Shiver as well as helping swathes of new, Northern-based talent to take their first steps in TV.
“And he’s done all this with an energy and determination that makes you tired just looking at him. He will be much missed as a colleague and friend.”