Former Chapman Entertainment production director Emily Whinnett will now oversee development at Northern Ireland’s Sixteen South as the company makes a push from puppetry into more live-action drama and animation.

As Sixteen South’s new head of development, Whinnett will develop projects across animation, live action and puppetry and will work closely with Sixteen South creative director Colin Williams to manage the development slate and attend global markets.

During her tenure at Chapman, Whinnett helped develop and produce such series as Fifi and the Flowertots, Roary the Racing Car, Raa Raa the Noisy Little Lion and Little Charley Bear.

In its five years in business, Sixteen South has churned out Sesame Tree, Big City Park, Big and Small, Pajanimals and the upcoming mixed-media seriesDriftwood Bay (pictured), which will bow next spring.