Leopard Films USA poaches Food Network’s Jordan Harman

Leopard Films USA, the Argonon-owned production company has poached Food Network executive Jordan Harman to become vice president of development.

Subsequently, Lauren Deen, producer of series including Lifetime’s Cook Yourself Thin, has been promoted to vice president of development and original programming following her appointment earlier this year.

Harman will be responsible for managing the House Hunters International producer’s development slate, while Deen will still run the company’s fledgling food production division and also move into lifestyle programming, particularly style and fashion.

Deen was previously director of programming and development at US cable broadcasters Food Network and Cooking Channels and worked on series including Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives and Restaurant Stakeout.

Both will report to Leopard Films USA president Nick Rigg.

“Jordan joins Leopard Films USA at a time when the company is enjoying tremendous growth; his experience on the buying side of our business, at networks as diverse as Food and Spike, is extremely valuable, and we’re eager and enthusiastic to work with him as we expand both the scope and volume of production at Leopard USA,” said Rigg. “We see Jordan and Lauren as a dynamic and powerful team, with different yet complementary skills sets, able to work in concert to deliver to our networks an exciting wave of inspired programming for both broadcast and cable.”