People

As the TV industry returns to work after the summer break, two high-profile executive departures have made headlines, with Vasha Wallace leaving Fremantle and Carlotta Rossi Spencer stepping down from Banijay Entertainment, marking significant changes for two of the sector’s leading global formats businesses.

Wallace is leaving Fremantle after two decades with the company, where she played a key role in its global formats strategy and acquisitions. During her tenure, she was involved in the international rollout of major formats including Farmer Wants a Wife, The Apprentice, Project Runway, Thank God You’re Here, The Piano, The Masked Singer, The Traitors and I Can See Your Voice. She will remain at Fremantle through September to complete her handover before moving into a portfolio career that will include consulting in international television.

Meanwhile, Rossi Spencer has stepped down from Banijay Entertainment after 11 years with the group, according to Broadcast International. She is launching Impeto, an international strategic advisory business, while remaining connected to Banijay as a consultant. Rossi Spencer joined Banijay Italy before moving to the group’s London operation, where she led format acquisitions and later became the company’s first head of branded content business development.
In 2023, she took the helm of Banijay Branded Entertainment, overseeing partnerships between the group’s production companies, talent and advertisers worldwide. Her departure comes shortly after Banijay completed its merger with All3Media, making her the most senior Banijay executive to leave since the deal was completed.