Lorraine Heggessey is a trailblazing business leader with a strong record across public, private, and non-profit sectors.
She made history as the first female controller of BBC One. Under her leadership, the channel became the most-watched in Britain, overtaking ITV1. With a £1 billion budget, she transformed Saturday nights, launching iconic shows like Strictly Come Dancing, Doctor Who, Spooks, and Waking the Dead.
Lorraine then became CEO of Talkback Thames. Her creative vision drove growth and innovation. She refreshed the programme lineup, launched a digital division, and introduced hit shows like Britain’s Got Talent and Take Me Out. Profits soared by 50% in just two years.
In 2012, she led a bold venture into independent production. She raised private equity to build a media group by acquiring companies and backing start-ups. As Executive Chair of Boom Pictures, she guided it to become the UK’s seventh-largest indie producer. ITV later acquired it, rebranding it as Two Four Group.
Lorraine also served as CEO of The Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. She helped scale the charity’s impact, leading initiatives like Heads Together for mental health and programmes supporting wounded veterans.
Known for fearless leadership, Lorraine isn’t afraid to make tough calls. She made headlines for sacking a Blue Peter presenter over drug use, confronting Roger Cook for a documentary, and securing a rare interview with notorious criminal Mad Frankie Fraser.
