Broadcaster ace to head media sites development

Adrian Bleasdale, moving from ITV to Sharp Project

A SADDLEWORTH man is swapping a top role at broadcaster ITV to become chief executive for the Space Project and Sharp Project in east Manchester.

Adrian Bleasdale has been appointed to the post by Manchester Creative Digital Assets (MCDA), the new company responsible for managing and developing the former Sharp electronics factory in Newton Heath.

It said Mr Bleasdale's role is to lead the development of creative, digital and media production sites across Greater Manchester.

A former Saddleworth School pupil in the 1980s, Mr Bleasdale is currently a special projects director at ITV Studios and was responsible for moving Coronation Street from its old Granada TV set in Manchester city centre to its new home near Media City UK and the Imperial War Museum North.

Attraction

He has held a number of senior ITV role which has also recently included moving the Emmerdale studios, which are also being developed into a visitor attraction. He began his career in television production where he headed ITV's equipment hire business, ProVision, and post-production services in Leeds.

He said: "I'm thrilled to be leading the team at Manchester Creative Digital Assets. There is a very clear vision to further development, support the growth of the creative and digital sectors in the north and contribute to the economic growth of Greater Manchester.

"With the combination of the award-winning Sharp Project, the expansion at the Space Project, development of One Central Park and further strategic investments we'll have a fantastic offering."

Susan Woodward, founder of both the Sharp Project and the Space Project, said: "Adrian has a track record of business transformation and growth, which is hard to match, this along with his experience and success in large scale projects sets him up well for leading MCDA."