BBC Shakes Up Factual Commissioning Team

Kate Phillips, BBC’s director of unscripted, has revealed the division’s new factual commissioning team structure.

As part of the restructure, Jack Bootle becomes head of commissioning for specialist factual, and Catherine Catton becomes head of commissioning for factual entertainment and events. Clare Sillery will lead on an expanded documentaries slate, while Suzy Klein will continue as head of commissioning for arts and classical music.

Phillips said: “I’m delighted that the full senior team in unscripted content is now in place. This newly refocused structure reinforces our commitment to the specialisms and creates further opportunities for talent on- and offscreen. It puts us in the very best position for our teams of highly talented commissioners to deliver world-class diverse content for our audiences across the U.K.”

In his new role, Bootle will provide leadership across the specialisms of science, natural history, history and religion. He was previously head of commissioning for science and natural history. Daisy Scalchi and Simon Young are joining his team as head of religion and ethics and head of history, respectively. Tom Coveney will become head of science and Sreya Biswas will become head of natural history. Each will lead on commissioning for their respective genre area, in consultation with Bootle and under the wider unscripted commissioning strategy. Scalchi will also work closely with colleagues in Radio, News and the Nations.

Catton, as head of commissioning for factual entertainment and events, will take on responsibility for the BBC’s Events content previously overseen by Carla-Maria Lawson, as well as continuing to lead on the department’s fact-ent slate. In addition, Clare Mottershead is appointed lead commissioning editor for factual entertainment and events.

Sillery is taking on an expanded docs slate as head of commissioning for documentaries and will be responsible for all single docs previously on the factual-entertainment slate.

Klein will stay on as head of commissioning for arts and classical music.