The BBC have announced the senior production team for the 2023 Eurovision Eurovision Song Contest. This comes shortly after a delegation from the BBC visited Liverpool – the selected host city.
The senior production team behind the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest are as follows:
- Martin Green CBE – Managing Director
- Rachel Ashdown – Lead Commissioner for the BBC
- Andrew Cartmell – Executive Producer
- Lee Smithurst – Head of Show
- Twan van de Nieuwenhuijzen – Head of Contest
- James O’Brien – Executive in Charge of Production
Martin Green CBE – Managing Director
Martin will lead a team to create, plan and deliver the event. Martin has over 20 years of experience in major global events, including the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where he delivered the opening and closing ceremonies as the Chief Creative Officer. His other roles include CEO of Hull UK City of Culture 2017 and Head of Ceremonies for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
I am thrilled to have been asked to lead the delivery of Eurovision 2023 for the BBC. As a lifelong fan of the contest, it’s a dream come true. I’m looking forward to working with the brilliant team at the BBC, in Liverpool and the EBU and of course colleagues from Ukraine; I speak for us all when I say we’ll do you proud.
Martin Green CBE, Managing Director of Eurovision 2023
Rachel Ashdown – Lead Commissioner
Rachel will work with the production team on the look and tone of the show, as well as commissioning related programming such as the Allocation Draw. No stranger to the contest, Rachel was previously the Commissioner for the BBC’s Eurovision coverage since 2018 and a member of the EBU’s Reference Group between 2019 and 2021.
Andrew Cartmell – Executive Producer
Andrew will take charge of the production of the three live shows. He has previously worked on events such as the Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony, Children in Need and Sport Relief. He was also the UK’s Head of Delegation for 2022.
Lee Smithurst – Head of Show
Having been the Assistant Head of Delegation for 2022, Lee will act as Head of Show; as creative lead, he will be responsible for editorial content. He will also be Executive Producer and Head of Delegation for the United Kingdom at the 2022 Junior Eurovision Song Contest in December.
Twan van de Nieuwenhuijzen – Head of Contest
This will mark Twan’s third time in the role, following the 2021 & 2022 contests. He will once again work with the various delegations to create the desired stagings of each entry.
James O’Brien – Executive in Charge of Production
James will lead the team responsible for the technical delivery of the live shows, along with all other technical elements in the venue itself. Like the rest of the team, he has experience with large scale events, including the MTV Europe Music Awards, the London 2012 Olympics and the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Eurovision 2023: The story so far
Back in May, Kalush Orchestra won the hearts of Europe and Australia and claimed Ukraine’s third victory in the contest with the televote record-breaking ‘Stefania‘. However over time it became clear Ukraine would not be able to host next years’ contest due to the ongoing invasion. After discussions between the EBU, winning broadcaster UA:PBC and runner-up broadcaster BBC, it was agreed for the BBC to adopt responsibility for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 on behalf of Ukraine. Following a highly competitive bidding process, earlier this month it was finally revealed that the outside bet Liverpool, will host Eurovision 2023.
The shows will be organised by the BBC, but Ukraine’s UA:PBC will send representatives to help the British hosts “develop Ukrainian elements” in the production of the contest. The contest will take place in the M&S Bank Arena – rebranded temporarily to the ‘Liverpool Arena’ on May 9, 11 and 13.
This week, it was confirmed that 37 countries will compete in Liverpool, following the withdrawal of Bulgaria, Montenegro and North Macedonia.
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