BBC World News commissions new series 'Changing Fortunes'

BBC World News commissions new series 'Changing Fortunes'

BBC World News

MUMBAI: BBC World News has announced ‘Changing Fortunes‘, a new six-part series that will challenge assumptions about patterns of wealth in the early 21st century. Produced by Films of Record and Duke& Earl, the series will broadcast from 2 February 2013. The show is sponsored by Coutts.

‘Changing Fortunes‘ takes a contemporary look at the new generation of wealthy men and women that have emerged in the last two decades. The fall of the Soviet Union, the liberalization of India and the opening of China have brought vast new markets into the global economy. The resulting commodities boom has created an explosion of wealth from Brazil to Africa. And the internet and technology continue to generate new fortunes.

As a result, the rich are getting younger, more female and less Western.

From India, the US, to Brazil, Europe, Africa and China - the series meets some of the innovators, entrepreneurs and business success stories whose fortunes offer a window into our rapidly changing world.

From the Nigerian entrepreneur heading one of Africa‘s largest energy companies to the world-renowned beauty expert and CEO of a leading US cosmetics company, each episode in the series profiles individuals who will reveal their extraordinary journeys to success.

BBC World News head of commissioning Mary Wilkinson said, " ‘Changing Fortunes‘ offers a fascinating insight into the economic history of the last twenty years and the accumulation of wealth. All of the individual stories we feature are remarkable and demonstrate that the newly rich are diverse and very global."

Coutts head of products, services and marketing Ian Ewart said, "Insight and deep understanding have driven Coutts‘ commitment to serving clients‘ needs for over 300 years, and that commitment remains as true today as it ever was. These outstanding programmes show how emerging trends find their origin in enduring client needs and how wealth generation originates from enduring truths. We want to answer the questions that wealth poses, and what it means today and for tomorrow."

Duke and Earl client services director Marc Heal said, "Duke and Earl are proud to be producing this exciting series for BBC World News. ‘Changing Fortunes‘ will challenge expectations and reveal how global patterns of wealth are shifting in the new economic paradigm. We are at a fascinating turning point for the world economy and it is a controversial time to be rich. Each programme in ‘Changing Fortunes‘ will challenge expectations and offer viewers a unique glimpse into the motivations and aspirations of the new wealthy."