Northern Pictures has announced a shakeup to its leadership team.
On Friday (March 7th), the Australian TV production company – which has produced a number of successful programmes including the Emmy Award winning “Love on the Spectrum” – revealed that current managing director Peter Anderson will be stepping down after seven years and moving into a part-time advisory role.
The move will see Matt Vitins take on the MD and executive producer role effective from April 28th.
Having most recently served as chief operating officer at Matchbox Pictures and Tony Ayres Productions (TAP), Vitins has delivered critically and commercially successful projects on multiple platforms including Netflix, Stan, Amazon, Peacock and the ABC.
He also had executive producer credits for titles like “Stateless” (ABC), “Creamerie” (TVNZ) and “The Survivors” (forthcoming, Netflix).
“Northern Pictures has built an exceptional back-catalogue and forward slate of world-class television projects,” Vitins said.
“I’m honoured to join the company.
“Peter’s leadership has positioned Northern Pictures as a leading international production company and I look forward to continuing on the ambitious trajectory he and the team have established.”
As well as the global success of “Love on the Spectrum”, under Anderson’s leadership, Northern Pictures also picked up an international Emmy for “Hardball,” and the company won the Screen Producers Australia Production Business of the Year in 2022, the Human Rights Media & Creative Industries Award in 2023 and was listed in Realscreen’s Global 100 Production Companies in 2022.
“Leading Northern Pictures has been an extraordinary journey,” Anderson said.
“I am incredibly proud of the team and everything we’ve accomplished together. With Matt taking the helm, I know the company is in the best possible hands for its next phase of growth.”
Chair of RACAT Group (Northern Pictures’ parent company), David Haslingden, added: “Peter has been the driving force behind Northern Pictures’ success, and we are thrilled that he will continue to provide his invaluable expertise in an advisory role.
“Matt is a dynamic leader with a proven track record in the industry, and we are excited for him to build on our strong foundation and lead Northern Pictures into the future.”