EXCLUSIVE: A+E Global Media has hired international TV distribution veteran Chris Stewart.

The former Banijay executive joins as VP, Content Sales, and will lead on sales in the UK, Ireland and Germany. He will be based in the UK.

His hire comes a week after Deadline revealed Stewart was among those that had exited Banijay Rights in a shakeup that followed Banijay Entertainment merging with All3Media. At Banijay, he was SVP, UK and Ireland.

“Chris brings a rare breadth of experience across sales, acquisitions, programming and content financing, along with a deep understanding of what buyers need in an increasingly complex marketplace,” said Patrick Vien, Group Managing Director, International at A+E.

“His commercial instincts, strong industry relationships and ability to identify opportunities across platforms will be tremendous assets as we continue to expand the reach of A+E Global Media’s content across these key markets.”

Earlier in his career, Stewart was Commercial Director, Scripted at Banijay Rights and was also Head of Drama at BBC Studios predecessor BBC Worldwide. He began his career at 2Entertain, the BBC Worldwide joint venture with high-street store Woolworths.

A+E is heading to MIPCOM Cannes this month having earlier in the year commissioned shows such as History’s Strange Fortunes with Kevin’s Bacon, Extraordinary Origins with Ted Danson and Buried in Barstow 2: Blood for Blood.