Former BBC Commercial Agency Director Martin Rakusen is joining U.K. media company RDF Rights as head of acquisitions & commercial development for drama, comedy and children’s programming.

Mr. Rakusen will be working with both the company’s U.S. arms, Pangea & RDF USA. He will be seeking co-production and deficit financing deals, among other duties. Mr. Rakusen will head up a new drama team at RDF Rights, which includes new drama acquisitions executive Sarah Ames.

At the BBC, Mr. Rakusen worked on the deal for the HBO co-production “Five Days”; the costume drama “Jane Eyre” with U.S. public broadcaster WGBH-TV; and the conspiracy thriller “State Within” with BBC America. All of these projects are slated to premiere within the year.

Mr. Rakusen reports to the RDF Group’s Commercial Director, Debbie Manners.