BBC Vet Natalie Humphreys Tapped to Lead Storyboard Studios

Chalkboard Television has appointed director and producer Natalie Humphreys as managing director of newly launched production house Storyboard Studios.

Glasgow-based Storyboard is will be headed by Humphreys, alongside London-based Chalkboard’s founder and director, Mike Benson. Partnering with Chalkboard on existing and original concepts, Storyboard will develop and produce new content for the U.K. and international partners.

Both companies are part of independent production group IZEN, which also includes France’s Elephant, Spain’s Zebra, and iMagic from the Middle East. Another BBC vet, series producer Jon Willers, will work with Humphreys, with further hires to be announced in the coming weeks.

Humphreys joined the BBC in 2011 as head of specialist factual, before being promoted to U.K. controller of factual and daytime, a role that saw her oversee a £100 million budget and over 1,000 hours of U.K.-produced content. In her portfolio are shows like Planet Earth II, Countryfile, Britain’s Favourite Food, Handmade, The Big Painting Challenge and Prehistoric Autopsy, among others.

Before joining the BBC, Humphreys served as head of specialist factual at Shine Television. She has also created and produced original content for ITV, Channel 4, Sky, PBS, National Geographic, Discovery, Animal Planet, France Television, NDR and ARTE, among others.

Humphreys said: “It’s invigorating working with Mike and a team united by a clear and simple goal—to make the best shows possible. We see the launch of Storyboard as a natural evolution of the exceptional productions Chalkboard has already made in Glasgow. It also signals our intent to commit 100% to Scotland and its creative community. For me personally, Glasgow is my home and I’m passionate about creating world-class content here.”

Benson added: “I’ve known Natalie for more than ten years and she’s quite simply one of the most respected originators and creative execs in the business. Her decision to partner with us and lead Storyboard Studios into the future is an endorsement of both our creative and commercial ambition. Under Natalie’s stewardship, Storyboard will continue to grow as a company, to the benefit of the group—but, more importantly, we’ll also make better, braver television.”