A TV executive who joined BBC Scotland last year from a major TV production company has been appointed to one of the Corporation's most importants posts, to operate from Scotland.
Natalie Humphreys, who joined the BBC from Shine TV, is one of two appointments made by the BBC which will operate from Glasgow, as part of a scheme to locate departmental heads around the UK.
While she will be controller of factual programming, Jonty Claypole is to be head of arts.
The factual and arts posts being based in Scotland was announced by the BBC in March.
In a memo to staff, Ken MacQuarrie, Director of BBC Scotland, said: “For us in Scotland the appointment of Natalie Humphreys as Controller Factual Production is terrific news. Currently, Head of Specialist Factual at BBC Scotland, Natalie’s credits span award-winning science, history, documentary and natural history and highlights include History Cold Case (BBC Two; National Geographic), Wonderstuff (BBC), Wild At Heart (ITV), Bang Goes The Winter Weather (BBC) and Bug Brother (National Geographic/France 5). She has made a tremendous impact since she joined us last year.
“In addition, Jonty Claypole has been appointed as Pan UK Head of Arts. Jonty has an impressive list of credits which include British Masters, The Birth of the British Novel, Ceramics: A Fragile History and Gershwin’s Summertime and was series producer on Seven Ages of Britain and the RTS-nominated Picture of Britain. He has also been instrumental in the development of core talent like James Fox, Alastair Sooke, Janina Ramirez and Stephen Smith and has steered several key partnerships for the BBC including the Sculpture Season with the Royal Academy and Handmade in Britain with the V&A.”
He continued: “Having Natalie and Jonty based here in Pacific Quay [in Glasgow] will help put Scotland right at the very heart of the BBC’s Factual programme-making. These are major heavyweights in Factual television and we’re delighted that they will be sharing their expertise and creativity with us.”
