Neil
Nightingale appointed Head of BBC Natural History Unit
The
BBC today (Monday 27 January 2003) announced that Neil Nightingale
has been confirmed in the post of Head of the BBC Natural History
Unit, having worked in the unit for the past 20 years.
Keith
Scholey, Controller of BBC Specialist Factual and former Head of
the Natural History Unit, said: "I am delighted that such an
experienced programme maker as Neil, who has excelled in leading
major strands including Natural World and Wildlife Specials, has
been appointed to this post in one of the BBC's most acclaimed and
successful departments.
"I
wish him every success and look forward to working with him over
the coming years."
Neil
said: "I am thrilled to be leading the world's most creative
group of wildlife programme-makers. These are exciting times for
the Natural History Unit, which has a greater diversity of projects
in production than ever before, and I am looking forward to building
on that success".
As
Head of the Natural History Unit, Neil will be responsible for all
the unit's television output on BBC ONE and BBC TWO and the digital
channels BBC THREE and BBC FOUR.
He
is also jointly editorially in charge of the Natural History Unit's
children's output and radio.
Neil
also becomes a member of the BBC's Specialist Factual Senior Management
Group.
He
takes up the post, based in Bristol, on 10 February 2003.
Notes
to Editors
As
an Editor for the BBC Natural History Unit since 1995, Neil Nightingale
has been responsible for a broad range of programming including
leading the award-winning Natural World strand for five years, commissioning
and co-producing 100 films from in-house producers, independents
and broadcasters from around the world.
He
also introduced highly successful mini-series into the strand including
the critically acclaimed Congo.
Neil
took over the running of the BBC ONE Wildlife Specials, including
Lion Spy in the Den and Tiger, which won a BAFTA, and took leadership
of Wild New World and Wild Africa for BBC TWO as well as overseeing
the development of the Wild Battlefields programmes which include
Lion Battlefield.
Before
his time as Editor, Neil was a Producer for the unit, with credits
including Private Life of Plants and Restless Year.
Neil
joined the BBC in 1983 as researcher and worked in wildlife, news
and current affairs, regional programmes, science and education.
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