Kyla Mullins

ITV

In her first year as ITV general counsel, Kyla Mullins dived straight into two big projects: tackling a regulatory investigation following a tragedy related to one of the broadcaster’s top shows and preparing the ground for the launch of a new streaming service.

A few months into the job, the former easyJet GC handled the legal aftermath of the Jeremy Kyle Show incident that involved a participant’s apparent suicide, gearing up for an upcoming inquest into whether enough support was offered to guests on ITV shows. Alongside her legal and business affairs team, she ensured the company’s duty of care policies were fit for purpose; this inspired her to engage other broadcasters and industry regulators, an effort that resulted in new guidelines for producers to protect participants in shows.

Mullins was also heavily involved in the launch of streaming platform BritBox, overseeing ITV’s deal with the BBC. Assisted by Hogan Lovells and her regulatory and policy team, she negotiated with the public broadcaster, taking charge of all matters involving the launch preparation and content and marketing deals.

2020 will be all about international efforts. She will help ITV’s distribution network in concocting new ways of operating, with more recruitment under way within her team. She will also review the company’s legal panel soon, with an eye both on the UK and ITV’s international network.