Rikesh Desai

In this role, Rikesh oversees these business units across BBC’s drama, natural history, lifestyle and children’s portfolio in the UK and across EMEA markets in partnership with local teams and agencies.

Rikesh joined the company in January 2012 in the newly created role of Head of Digital Innovation. In this role, Rikesh established and successfully developed the multi-format franchise strategy focused on commercially leveraging emerging digital technologies, combining them with BBC content, brands and products.

Shortly after he took further responsibility for the Gaming & Interactive division as Global Digital Entertainment & Games Director overseeing the delivery of successful digital products and games.

Rikesh joined BBC Studios from Carphone Warehouse/Best Buy Europe where he served as Group Head of Digital Services & Content. Prior to this role, Rikesh held key roles within the mobile industry at T-Mobile and Vodafone.

Rikesh currently serving as an advisor to the board of Ecologi a subscription service helping individuals and businesses affordably become climate positive and take real action against climate change.

Rikesh holds a Management Sciences BSc Hons degree and MBA Essentials qualification from London School of Economics.