People

Fremantle-owned indie, Naked, has hired Natalie McArdle as its new Director of Development. Joining the senior team and reporting to Creative Director, Tom O’Brien, Natalie will join the company in February 2021.

Natalie McArdle has established herself as one of the most talented and creative development executives across the industry, having built up an impressive career across both development and production. She joins Naked from Twofour where she worked as the Director of Development, leading the development team with a focus on creating new brands across factual entertainment, formats and blue-chip factual series.

Previously, Natalie McArdle worked at Electric Ray as a Head of Development and Executive Producer. She was key in creating some of their biggest titles including My Million Pound Menu (BBC Two / Netflix), Alone at Home (C4) and Call That Hard Work (BBC One). Prior to Electric Ray, has worked for Tiger Aspect, BBC Three, Firecracker Films, Studio Lambert and Twenty Twenty.

Natalie McArdle says: “I’ve had a brilliant and busy year at Twofour, but the chance to create and exec shows at Naked was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down. It’s a hugely exciting time for the company and I can’t wait to join Fatima, Tom and their talented team to see what we can make together.”

Fatima Salaria, Managing Director at Naked says: “This is a really exciting time for Naked and we’re thrilled Natalie is joining us. She exudes energy and passion and her experience in developing inspiring ideas and producing great content is what we at Naked get excited about. Natalie’s reputation for creativity and originality is exactly what we’re looking for in our senior team.”

Tom O’Brien, Creative Director at Naked adds: “Nat is among the UK’s most successful & exciting creators and producers of unscripted content – to bag her is brilliant. 2021 is set to be an exciting & productive prospect with her working beside us.”

Fremantle acquired a minority stake in unscripted start up Naked in 2015 and in February 2020 announced a full 100% ownership while at the same time recruiting Simon Andreae as CEO of the UK business.