Channel 4 has appointed Charlotte Desai as Documentaries Commissioning Editor.
Reporting to Head of Documentaries Nick Mirsky, Desai joins Channel 4 later this month.
Working closely with Mirsky, she will be tasked with finding new ideas for the 9pm slot – both multipart formats and documentaries with the potential to become returnable strands and more focussed series and films which capture the concerns and preoccupations of contemporary Britain.
In addition, her remit will include new ideas for 10pm especially those with the potential to develop in the same way as the department’s successful First Dates series.
Mirksy said: "I am really delighted that Charlotte is joining us. She has a range of impressive programme making credits as well as commissioning experience at Sky and a depth of development experience at factual and factual entertainment companies. Her job will be all about finding the next generation of high impact Factual TV on Channel 4."
Desai joins Channel 4 from Shine TV, where her focus was primarily on generating new business and winning commissions from various broadcasters across a range of genres, including documentaries and factual formats.
She has previously worked in Factual at the BBC where her credits include the BAFTA-winning Trouble at the Top and films in the Wonderland strand. She was responsible for creating and delivering When Michael Portillo Became a Single Mum.
After the BBC, Desai worked across a range of thought provoking Documentaries and Factual Entertainment shows including The Apprentice and The Choir.
A commissioning spell followed at Sky Factual before returning to production, spending time in both development and executive producing roles. Her most recent Channel 4 credits include The Auction House and Quadruplets and Homeless.
Desai says: “I’m really looking forward to collaborating with Nick, his talented team and independent producers to help develop and shape bold new ideas with broad appeal.”
Desai will join the Documentaries team which includes: Michelle Chappell who is responsible for Supervet and Secret Life of the Zoo and continues to commission for 8pm and seek out popular documentary ideas at 10pm; Rita Daniels who commissions First Cut, and looks after 24 Hours in A&E, Educating and range of other output and Madonna Benjamin, the commissioning executive responsible for First Dates, Catching a Killer, Hunted, The Job Interview and a number of new series.
Alisa Pomeroy, Documentaries Commissioning editor for Cutting Edge, will return from maternity leave later this year.
Staff Reporter
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