CEO/Co-Founder Henry Normal Exiting Steve Coogan’s Baby Cow Productions; BBC Worldwide Increases Stake In Indie

Henry Normal, co-founder and CEO of Baby Cow Productions, the indie he set up with Steve Coogan in 1999, is exiting. Coogan will assume a broader role as part of the transition, and BBC Worldwide, which already is part-owner, will increase its stake to 73%. The prolific company’s credits include TV series Gavin And Stacey, The Mighty Boosh, Moone Boy, and Alan Partridge. Normal has executive produced all of the Baby Cow’s output and was also executive producer on Philomena, the Oscar-nominated drama that Coogan starred in and co-wrote with Jeff Pope. Normal will remain with Baby Cow as a consultant over the next year until the appointment of a new CEO. A recruitment process is already underway.

Coogan will take on creative leadership until the arrival of the new CEO, and after that will continue to play a leading role in future development.

Normal said today, “After sixteen and a half years I’ve decided to take a long overdue break from TV and film production to pursue creative endeavours in other fields. I’m very proud to have been part of a company that has nurtured young talent, sought out originality and produced quality award-winning shows year after year. Steve has such a great team around him and with further support from BBC Worldwide, I know Baby Cow will achieve even greater success in the years to come.”

Coogan said, “Henry has devoted himself brilliantly to the company over the years and deserves to pursue more personal projects. I salute him. He leaves behind a passionate team with great taste and the company he co-founded is in a strong place to grow.”

On Baby Cow’s upcoming roster is Sky Atlantic series Camping as well as the return of Alan Partridge in documentary, Alan Partridge’s Scissored Isle, also at Sky Atlantic. Coogan is also re-teaming with Rob Brydon for a third installment of The Trip series, this time in Spain.

Coogan added, “Following on from the success of Alpha Papa, The Trip and Philomena, I’m personally very excited about Baby Cow’s developing film and TV drama slate. We’ve always cared about the quality of what we do. Whether it’s our new comedy, drama or film projects we’ll be building on the success of our first 16 years with the same commitment to distinctive, original work. More to follow.”

BBC Worldwide has been partnered with Baby Cow since 2008 when it acquired a 25% stake. As part of the management transition, BBCWW has upped its ownership to 73%. The expansion will allow Baby Cow to implement plans for future growth and development.