The BBC has named Poppy Dixon as its new Head of Documentaries.
She replaces Clare Sillery who stood down earlier this year after more than 20 years at the BBC.
Dixon left her role as Director of Documentaries and Factual at Sky in September last year. During her 5 years there, she commissioned Lockerbie, Secret World of Sound with David Attenborough, Libby Are You Home Yet?, Chernobyl: The Lost Tapes, and Boyzone: No Matter What (Curious), Sky’s highest ever rated unscripted title.
Her arrival comes following changes to the BBC’s senior leadership team to reflect “the growing importance of factual and entertainment content.” That includes 2 new director roles – Director of Factual and Director of Entertainment.
Dixon will report into Fiona Campbell, BBC Director of Factual, who oversees Documentaries, Storyville, Specialist Factual, and Arts and Classical Music TV.
“BBC documentaries have inspired me throughout my life and career, so it is an enormous honour to join this world-class team, and to help shape its future through this pivotal time for the organisation,” she said.
“In a rapidly evolving media landscape, I see huge opportunities to innovate and to build on the BBC’s phenomenal creative strengths. I’m really excited to work closely with our vibrant, talented documentary community across the UK, and together build a slate to engage, captivate and entertain BBC audiences wherever they find their content.”
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Before Sky, she spent 15 years in production and development, including Raw and Lightbox.
“BBC documentaries are among the most powerful and distinctive programmes we make, reaching millions of viewers across the UK and beyond,” added Fiona Campbell, BBC Director of Factual.
“They champion exceptional storytelling, uncover compelling perspectives and bring audiences closer to the issues and experiences that shape our world. Poppy’s creative energy, editorial leadership and proven track record in delivering standout documentary programming make her ideally placed to drive this genre forward, ensuring we continue to offer audiences ambitious, innovative and world-class documentaries.”
She will start in late summer.
