Rare TV chief executive Daniela Neumann is standing down after less than a year, stating that “it was not quite the role I expected it to be”.
The former Spun Gold managing director took on the role at the Belfast and London-based indie in December 2024.
She succeeded Alex Gardine, who stepped down for family and health-related reasons and remains a non-executive director.
During her brief tenure, Rare picked up commissions including BBC1’s Trace, Track, Get My Car Back [main picture] and BBC Northern Ireland’s Hold the Front Page, plus recommissions for BBC shows Expert Witness and Digging for Britain.
In a statement, Neumann said: “I came in as chief executive in January and over time it became clear it was not quite the role I expected it to be. I resigned earlier in the year have been working my notice until the end of 2025 to help the team grow the business and get ready for its next chapter.
“I am delighted we have already won a number of significant commissions in the short time I have been here. The team at Rare is exceptionally talented and I wish them great success.”
Gardiner added: “I would like to thank Dani for her support at Rare of our award-winning team over the last 10 months. We wish her well with her next project.
“Despite some of the challenges in our industry, Rare continues to be awarded commissions for producing real world programmes, with real people in an engaging and smart way. We are very optimistic about the future.”
Neumann joined Rare two months after leaving Spun Gold, which she joined as creative director in 2014 before a decade as managing director.
She has previously held broadcaster roles including ITV entertainment controller, head of ITV2 and Virgin director of programmes.
Upon joining Rare last December, Neumann said: "The company is on the precipice of many great things ... for me, this is a dream scenario, in which my leadership experience, global network of relationships and ideas can actively contribute to an already remarkable company.”
