Channel 5 preschool block Milkshake! has hired former Coolabi production and development manager Louise Maloney as its new acquisitions and program manager, reporting directly to VIMN UK kids programming VP Louise Bucknole.

From proposal stage through to channel delivery and transmission, Maloney’s new role includes oversight of all of acquisitions and commissions to ensure creative quality.

Prior to joining Milkshake!, Maloney worked at Coolabi on a range of projects including Scream Street for CBBC, Clangers for CBeebies and the Nick Jr./Milkshake!/Sprout co-production Poppy Cat.

This hire comes on the heels of Josie Grierson leaving her post as production and program manager at Milkshake! in December to join eOne as director of creative affairs for the family & brands team. Bucknole just joined the VIMN Kids team in July after a six-year stint as director of programming at Disney Channels UK and Ireland.

All of these staffing changes come about 18 months after Channel 5 revamped its preschool block for the first time in more than a decade, rolling out a  new logo, title sequence, event schedule and, of course, new content.