Canadian TV exec Diane Rankin, SVP of acquisitions for U.K.-based distributor DRG, is leaving the company at the end of this year.

Rankin, who joined DRG from Cineflix in 2010, is not only leaving the distribution company, but also the TV industry, with plans to follow one of her passions by taking a one-year course on interior and product design.

“TV has been good to me, and it’s hard to let it go but I feel like I have to explore this and see if I can make something of it,” Rankin told Playback sister publication realscreen.

As for what areas she’d like to explore in the design world, “I’ll ideally be looking for something that will allow me a creative outlet but also takes on board the business skills I’ve gained over the years,” she explained.

“Who knows – maybe I’ll marry the two worlds and be involved in my own design TV show at some point and get to work with some of my favorite producers again!”

Prior to her time at Cineflix International as head of acquisitions, Rankin worked with Playback parent company Brunico Communications for 13 years, and was part of realscreen‘s launch team in 1997. As VP and group publisher, she oversaw assorted publishing brands for the company, including realscreen and Kidscreen.

Ali Hill, former head of acquisitions for Target Entertainment, has been appointed as head of acquisitions at DRG. She will be coming aboard next week, with Rankin staying on until year’s end to facilitate a smooth transition.

“DRG is lucky to find someone like Ali Hill to come on board and [it’s] an even bigger bonus that she is available to start right away and do a proper handover so there are no gaps for all our great clients,” said Rankin.

“We are excited to welcome Ali to DRG with her experience in factual,” said Andrea Jackson, director of acquisitions at DRG, in a statement. “We’d like to thank Diane for everything she has done for DRG over the past two years, and wish her much success in this new chapter of her career.”