Naked boss Tom O’Brien to step down

Naked’s managing director Tom O’Brien is to step down after over a decade at the label.

Fremantle UK chief executive Amelia Brown revealed his departure to staff in an internal memo, seen by Broadcast, adding he will be leaving the UK to move to Sweden with his family.

He will remain with The Apprentice indie until September and Naked’s future management team will be announced in due course, she added.

O’Brien has been with the Fremantle label for around 12 years, having joined at the beginning of 2015 to lead on creation and development of new content. He has been its head for the past four years.

Most recently under his leadership, Naked scored major format commissions for Farming for Love (ITV1) and Big Break (BBC2), and a first full series of The Celebrity Apprentice (BBC1).

O’Brien’s other credits include Couple to Throuple (Peacock), We Saved A Train (Warner Bros Discovery), Charlie Cooper’s Myth Country (BBC3), Brian Cox: Made of Money (BBC) and The Rap Game UK (BBC3).

“Tom has been instrumental in Naked’s success, helping to build the company from a start-up into one of the UK’s leading production companies. His tenacious approach to getting deals done and thinking outside of the box, along with the amazing team, has meant that Naked is now thriving and he leaves it in the best shape it has been since its start.

“With new formats this year – Farming for Love and Big Break – as well as some great ongoing format developments,” wrote Brown.

“I, for one, am very sorry to see Tom go – people who think in an ‘ideas first’ way are a rare breed in our industry, but I am excited for him and his family as they embark on this next adventure. I know everyone at Naked and Fremantle will join me in wishing them all the best.”

O’Brien added: “After a life-changing 12-year journey at Naked, helping build it from a tiny start-up into one of the UK’s leading unscripted producers, the time has come for me to move on.

“I leave the company busier than ever, with new entertainment brands in production, some great new returners and our long-running heritage brands thriving.

“I know the brilliant teams at Naked and Fremantle will continue the exceptional work they’ve all been doing; and for me, I’ll continue to do what I love most of all – thinking-up shows and chasing waking dreams.”