Francesca Smith has recently been appointed as the Head of Human Resources for BBC Studios’ Production and Distribution offices in Los Angeles, marking a significant advancement in her illustrious career. Smith took up her new role in April 2024 after a progressive tenure at BBC Studios that spanned over two and a half years.
Before her promotion, Smith served as a Global HR Business Partner in New York, where she was the HR lead for Global Ad Sales and Digital News & Streaming from November 2022 to April 2024. Her role involved extensive strategic HR management across high-impact areas of the business, significantly enhancing operational efficiency and team synergy.
Prior to her time in New York, Smith was based in London as an HR Business Partner for EMEA at BBC Studios from November 2021 to February 2023, and before that, she managed HR for Design and Engineering from February 2020 to November 2021. Each position at BBC Studios allowed her to refine her skills in various domains, contributing to her deep understanding of global HR dynamics.
Smith’s career before joining BBC included significant roles such as Strategic HR Business Partner at the Government Digital Service in London, where she led initiatives from September 2018 to February 2020 that focused on digital, data, and technology functions. She was also a Civil Service Fast Stream HR Business Partner at the Department of Health and Social Care, shaping HR strategies that supported departmental goals from March 2017 to September 2018.
Her earlier experiences include working as an HR Consultant, where she engaged in Pay & Reward, TUPE, and Learning & Development projects, and as an HR Manager at Marks and Spencer where she was involved in L&D and HR policy advisory. Additionally, Smith co-founded the company Escalate, bringing innovative products to market and achieving multiple business accolades.
BBC Studios is a global pioneer in content production and distribution, boasting a formidable portfolio that includes iconic shows such as “Strictly Come Dancing,” “Planet Earth III,” and “Prehistoric Planet.” As Britain’s most awarded production company, BBC Studios has not only captured imaginations but also numerous prestigious awards worldwide. Operating the most widely-read English language news website globally, bbc.com, and serving as the UK’s largest distributor of British content, BBC Studios continues to set industry benchmarks for creativity and excellence in media production.
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