Liza Marshall, the former Channel 4 head of drama now heading up Tony and Ridley Scott's British wing Scott Free UK, has appointed two new creative types, presumably as part of the company's commitment to produce more in the UK and Europe.

Former Tricycle Theatre literary manager/BBC script editor Surian Fletcher-Jones, and Jack Arbuthnot, recently development editor at BBC Films, will develop programmes for UK TV.

Marshall says: "Jack and Surian are ambitious, talented executives who are very popular with writers. Between them, they have great deal of experience of the industry and represent the dynamic and fresh approach we are looking to take with our production and development activity in the UK across feature filmmaking and television drama. They will be an invaluable addition to the Scott Free team".

Liza Marshall, who, as previously reported, is leaving her job as Channel 4's head of drama, has been talking about her new role with Scott Free, the company owned by directors Ridley and Tony Scott. The production outfit presently does most of its work from Los Angeles, but the brothers are keen to develop the UK end of their business, and that's where Marshall will come in.

Marshall explains: "Ridley loves the UK market and the talent here, but has not found the right person to run it. He loves the shows I worked on such as The Devil’s Whore and he has optioned Red Riding. That shows a commitment".

She goes on to say that she is planning a mixture of feature films and drama aimed at UK broadcasters. "It’s going to be difficult with drama budgets as they are", she told Broadcast, "but there are other ways to fund programming, such as by co-pros. We already have a feature films deal with 20th Century Fox and I have been brought in because I have good contacts in the UK business".

On her departure from Channel 4, which happened just as she was to be given an extra £20m for her drama budget, she continued: "All of a sudden the budget was much bigger and I am leaving with a number of shows in production, and that’s hard. I wasn't looking for a move, but I was approached by Ridley and it was too big an opportunity to turn down".

Liza Marshall has quit her job as Channel 4's head of drama and is gooing to work for Scott Free, the production company founded by director brothers Ridley Scott and Tony Scott.

Channel 4 head Julian Bellamy said: "Channel 4 drama under the leadership of Liza Marshall has consistently punched above its weight with challenging and ambitious work including The Devil’s Whore, Boy A, Mark of Cain, Skins and Shameless. We wish her well in her exciting new role and the search now starts for her successor".

Ridley Scott, meanwhile, says this: "At a time of uncertainty in many areas of the business, and in particular in the speciality film sector in the US, we believe it is an opportune time to step up our commitment to European film-making. Liza’s appointment enables us to offer a real home for creative talent and help them navigate the new business models which will be needed to get films made".