‘The Masked Singer UK’ Producer Argonon Names New CEO As Founder James Burstall Becomes Exec Chair

James Burstall‘s long run as CEO of The Masked Singer UK producer Argonon is coming to an end. The high-profile British exec is segueing to an Executive Chairman role, with Argonon’s Chief Commercial and Legal Officer, Amanda Goddard, promoted to President and CEO in a restructured management team. Burstall isn’t going far, however, and Argonon reps were keen to stress he will retain a “highly active” day-to-day role building the global profile of the company he co-founded in 2011. Argonon is best known for the likes of ITV competition reality show The Masked Singer UK, which is produced through its joint venture Bandicoot Scotland, and HGTV series House Hunters International. Joining Goddard and Burstall in the top team are Matt Widmayer, who becomes Global CFO after a time as the financial chief at Argonon USA, and will split his time between the U.S. and UK. British mergers and acquisitions specialist Hasham Khan of ABP Advisory is also becoming a board consultant. Watch on Deadline Goddard has been with Argonon for seven years after joining from indie producer body Pact, where she spent 11 years. She also held roles at Universal International Pictures and Scottish broadcaster STV. Burstall, meanwhile, formed Argonon through the 2011 merger of his Leopard Films and Remedy Productions, a UK production house ran by Toby Dormer – now President of Unscripted at Blink49 Studios’ Canadian arm – and Juliet Borges. Burstall was named CEO at that point and has held the role ever since. “After 15 years leading Argonon’s operations across the UK and U.S., I am excited to hand over the CEO reins to Amanda, who has demonstrated astute commercial acumen, strong leadership and emotional intelligence since joining Argonon in 2019,” said Burstall. “Her reputation, industry knowledge and strategic vision make her the natural choice to lead Argonon into its next chapter, and I will continue to work closely with her as Executive Chairman.” The move comes as a response to a sector “changing at breakneck pace,” Burstall added. “As platform agnostic storytellers whose content reaches millions of people across the world, we must be fearless, experimental, risk-taking and open to radical change to keep us at the cutting edge. Today’s announcement of a brand-new world class leadership team lays the foundations for an exciting future.” Argonon, which houses production companies such as factual specialist Windfall Films and Hard Cell maker Leopard Pictures, has been investing in digital and self-published content, its New York hubs, post facilities for its London-based labels and exploring AI capabilities over recent times. Goddard has played a key role in the production company’s diversification, finding new ways to monetize Argonon’s 5,800-hour catalog across brand partnerships, sponsorships, FAST channels, digital and podcasts. She has also kicked in new content funding and co-production strategies, while using her legal and policy background to call for more supportive UK tax incentives. “As we enter our next chapter amid seismic structural change, our entrepreneurial independence, adaptability and creativity will enable us to move quickly, deepen our partnerships and create content that connects and inspires audiences worldwide,” she said.