News Headline
BBC Studios names Anna Mallett as chief operating officer
MUMBAI: BBC’s production arm BBC Studios has appointed Anna Mallett as its new chief operating officer (COO).
In her previous role, Mallett was BBC Production Proposals director and project lead.
As COO, she will oversee all operational elements of the new pan UK division, bringing together business and technology activities and working closely with operations, finance, production management and commercial colleagues across the BBC. She will play a key role in the creation of the new BBC Studios Division, leading a culture focused on delivering bold, British creative content for audiences.
Mallett says, “I am really looking forward to working with Peter and the fantastic BBC Production team as we build the new BBC Studios.”
She was previously CEO of BBC Studios and Post Production Ltd, the commercial subsidiary of the BBC providing studios, post production and digital media services to the media industry, where she oversaw considerable business change, including relocating the company’s business operations to Elstree. She has been part of the BBC’s senior leadership team since 2006, and from 2008 was controller of business strategy, responsible for the BBC’s overall commercial, distribution and platform strategy. Before joining the BBC, she worked for seven years at the Boston Consultant Group in London.
BBC Studios director Peter Salmon adds, “It is great to welcome Anna on board. She is a brilliant collaborator, a clear thinker and great manager with previous successful experience of running commercial companies. Her acute business sense, and understanding of the industry will play a key part in creating a BBC Studios that is vibrant and creative.”
Mallett will join Mark Freeland, Natalie Humphreys, Katie Taylor and Wendy Darke on a new BBC Studios Board and she starts immediately.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
