Rumpus hires Tiger Aspect exec to head up comedy

Rumpus Media has appointed Tiger Aspect’s Avril Spary as head of comedy and upped Chantal Barnes to head of development.

Spary takes up the role after spending nine years at Tiger Aspect, where she started as trainee and worked her way up to development executive, and she produced and co-created BBC Three’s BAFTA-winning Murder in Successville (pictured).

She will now be responsible for developing and pitching comedy entertainment ideas to UK broadcasters as well as working closely with emerging comedian and writers, developing on and off-screen talent.

Reporting to joint managing directors Emily Hudd and Iain Wimbush, Spary takes up her new role in January 2019 and Chantal Barnes takes up her new role with immediate effect.

Barnes, having overseen the development slate at Rumpus for the past year, has been promoted to head of development. She co-devised All4’s Personal Dater and developed Christmas special The Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan for BBC Two, as well as two yet-to-be announced pilots.

Hudd said: “Avril has a rare ability to develop really distinctive, high concept shows that are big on both entertainment and humour. She has a keen eye for talent and really goes the extra mile to nurture them. We’re really excited to see how she grows the next generation of Rumpus Comedy Entertainment.”

Wimbush added: “Chantal’s relentlessly creative and has been invaluable this year working across all aspects of our diverse slate – from satirical current affairs to high concept gameshows. We’re so happy she’s going to lead the development team into 2019.”