Melanie Rumani, world head of acquisitions for BBC Studios and UKTV, has died.
Colleagues paid tribute to Rumani’s tenacious deal-making and the fearlessness with which she fought a protracted battle with most cancers. She is survived by her husband Hass Rumani, head of content material funding at UKTV, the community owned by BBC Studios.
Rumani joined BBC Studios in 2006, holding numerous positions inside gross sales and acquisitions till being elevated to world head of acquisitions in 2020. She sourced content material for 40 particular person pay-TV channels and on-line BBC-branded providers, serving to launch the likes of BBC Earth, BBC Brit, and BBC First.
BBC Studios CEO Tom Fussell mentioned: “Mel’s contribution to BBC Studios and the broader BBC Group can’t be underestimated, and it was a privilege to work together with her. She was fearless and tenacious in her strategy to deal-making, and this translated into how she approached on a regular basis life too. We’re all in whole admiration of how she tackled her sickness and her willpower to proceed working regardless of the challenges that introduced. Mel goes to be vastly missed by all those that had the pleasure of working together with her and our ideas are with Mel’s husband Hass and her wider household and mates.”
Marcus Arthur, CEO of UKTV, added: “Mel had unimaginable resilience, and she or he introduced a fast-paced power and willpower to the whole lot she tackled. Her wealth of information was unimaginable, and she or he was extremely regarded within the business for her experience and professionalism. Mel was additionally humorous, type and passionate. She was an inspiration to all of us and our ideas are with Mel’s husband and our much-loved colleague Hass, at this terribly unhappy time.”
