John Willis
CEO, BBC
30 Minutes with John Willis, BBC
Keynote Presentation: In Conversation with Errol Morris
Opening Session: Leaders Forum

John Willis began his career at Yorkshire Television where he won a string of awards for his hard-hitting documentary programmes, including Johnny Go Home (British Academy Award), and Rampton - The Secret Hospital (International Emmy). Later he became Controller of Documentaries and Current Affairs, where he started the acclaimed documentary series First Tuesday.

In 1988, he joined Channel 4 Television as Controller of Factual Programmes, introducing new documentary stands like Cutting Edge, True Stories and Secret History.

In 1993, he was promoted to Director of Programmes which oversaw a number of successful programmes and films in several generes including Father Ted, Rory Bremner, The Politician's Wife and the movies, Four Weddings and a Funeral and Trainspotting.

After Channel 4, he became Chief Executive of United Productions as it rapidly expanded in both factual programmes and drama including Hornblower, Oliver Twist and several Paul Watson documentaries. He represented United on the Boards of both Channel 5 and Independent Television News.

When Granada Media bought United, John moved to become Managing Director of both United Productions and London Weekend Television and, subsequently M D of Granada's International Production.

In 2001, he won the prestigious Royal Television Society Gold Medal for Creative Contribution to Television.

In June 2002, he moved to Boston to join WGBH, America's biggest public television station, as Vice President in charge of National Programmes. Their award-winning programmes include Frontline, Nova, American Experience and ExxonMobil Masterpiece Theatre.

In June 2003, he joined the BBC as Director of Factual and Learning with responsibility for BBC factual production across all channels.