Joe Hullait appointed Channel 4 commissioning executive

TV producer and writer Joe Hullait has been appointed as Channel 4's new commissioning executive for comedy.

Fiona McDermott, head of comedy at Channel 4, says: "Joe is the perfect fit for C4 comedy at this time, he impressed with his genuine tenacity and passion for making great comedy. With the comedy slate in great health and the channel's new strategy in full swing, his strong development background as well as experience in short-form content mean he will be a brilliant addition to the team. We cannot wait to welcome him to the virtual office soon."

He says: "I am beyond ecstatic to be joining a broadcaster with such a distinctive comedy legacy. So many moments from incredible Channel 4 sitcoms past and present are ingrained in my psyche. As a graduate of the channel's Production Trainee Scheme I am proud to have this opportunity to return to the place that gave me my start in the industry. I can't wait to begin working with Fiona and the team."

Hullait joins Channel 4 having most recently served as the creator and series producer for the BAFTA-winning sitcom Scot Squad, which he has worked across for the last six series. A recent spin-off production starring Jack Docherty won Hullait his second BAFTA.

Hullait was selected as part of the 2013 Media Guardian Edinburgh International TV Festival Ones to Watch. His beginnings on Channel 4's trainee production scheme led him to the role of development researcher at independent production company The Comedy Unit, working across their original comedy ideas. During his time within the BBC Comedy department he co-developed the Commonwealth Games themed comedy series Don't Drop The Baton and was part of the team that developed Neil Forsyth's Bob Servant Independent. Hullait's other credits include Dave's Emmy-winning show Hoff the Record and, as an executive producer for the RTS nominated series of shorts, Hings, which is adapted from the work of best-selling author, Chris McQueer. In 2018, he co-founded Belter Studios, which is a short-form indie specialising in comedy shorts. He was also the co-MD for the company.

He joins Fiona McDermott in the Channel 4 comedy department this month (February 2021), working alongside commissioning editor Jack Bayles and commissioning executive Laura Riseam.