The Fixer: Alex Polizzi to return to BBC Two to help failing family firms

Tom Edwards, Commissioning Editor, Factual Features and Formats, has commissioned Twofour to produce a third series of hit BBC Two series Alex Polizzi - The Fixer.

The show sees third-generation hotelier of the internationally renowned Forte family dynasty - and successful businesswomen - Alex Polizzi turn her attention to family firms that have reached breaking point. She tackles both their financial failures and domestic dramas and tries to guide them back onto the path to success.

Home-grown family businesses make a significant contribution to the country's economy: family firms make up nearly half of all mid-sized businesses and 75 per cent of the 4.6 million private sector enterprises in the UK.

But with just 30 per cent of family firms operating into the second generation of family ownership, Alex will help families innovate, evolve, and most importantly, present a united front to ensure business thrives through generations to come.

The methods Alex uses will vary across the series, but will always have a clear business message at their heart. We'll also witness her unlocking the emotion behind family relationships, to get to the heart of the business problems.

Series two peaked with over 3.1 million and an 11.7 per cent share when it aired on BBC Two earlier this year.

Alex Polizzi says: "I relish any opportunity to help improve family businesses as I'm only too aware of the stresses, strains and occasional pleasures of being involved in a family business. Owners of family businesses work incredibly hard and contribute enormously to our economy."

Melanie Leach, Managing Director of Twofour Broadcast, says: “The Fixer is a format that allows Alex to roll her sleeves up and get stuck in with her own unique, no-nonsense approach. We’re delighted to have the opportunity of unleashing her on a new batch of struggling family firms.”

Alison Kirkham, Head of Commissioning, Factual Features & Formats, says: “It is always really gratifying to bring programmes back for a third series. The audience on Two have developed a real affection for The Fixer. I’m so pleased that since I persuaded Alex to come to Two, she has surpassed all my hopes for her presence and role on the channel.”

Tom Edwards, Commissioning Editor, Factual Features and Formats, says: “Through The Fixer, Alex has proven one of the strongest talent launches on BBC Two of recent years. We very much look forward to working with her on this – and other ventures – going forward.”

The series will be executive produced by Melanie Leach and Dan Adamson for Twofour and Tom Edwards for the BBC.