At the same time, Five's deputy controller of factual entertainment Liam Humphreys has been promoted to commissioning editor of factual entertainment. Gowan and Humphreys will report to Five's director of programmes Dan Chambers.
According to Chambers: "Steve is one of the best operators in the indie sector and I'm very pleased he has agreed to join Five. Factual Entertainment is going to be a big growth area for us this year and I'm delighted that we will have two such talented executives as Steve and Liam."
Gowans joined Chrysalis News & Sport in 1989. Before that he was series editor of Channel 4's Italian football coverage. He replaces Sue Murphy, Five's factual and feature controller, who is moving to Channel 4 as head of features.
When Chrysalis became part of a larger Chrysalis Television unit, Gowans became editor of the 'Top Tens' brand and head of entertainment in 2002.
Humphreys joined Five in April 2002 from RDF Media where he produced and directed the Bafta-nominated 'Michael Jackson's Face'.
The appointments follow those of new separate heads of science and history last month. Justine Kershaw was promoted to controller of science, while Alex Sutherland was made controller of history.
The channel is trying to distance itself from its roots of "football, films and fucking" under former chief executive Dawn Airey, who is now at BSkyB. She was replaced by Jane Lighting from Flextech.
Changes were instigated under Kevin Lygo, the then director of programmes, who was succeeded by Chambers when Lygo returned to Channel 4 as director of television.
Gowans takes up his position in late February.
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