Alan Holland to lead Documentary Unit at BBC Studios

BBC Studios Factual Productions has appointed Alan Holland to lead its Documentary Unit.

Holland, previously Creative Director for the Documentary Unit’s teams in Scotland and Manchester and deputy to Flanagan, will report into Tom McDonald, MD of Factual, and will now lead the whole unit, overseeing all its programming from bases in Scotland, London, Salford and Cardiff.

Amy Flanagan, who held the role from 2019, is leaving the business to prioritise time with her family due to a family illness. She has overseen a period of significant growth for the unit, securing multiple new commissions from the BBC, Channel 4, Sky, Channel 5 including Michael X, A Life in Ten Pictures as well as a raft of soon to be announced new projects.

The Documentary Unit’s creative team including Kirsty Cunningham, Cate Hall and, soon to join from BBC commissioning, Abigail Priddle will now all report into Holland. He’ll be based in BBC Studios Productions’ Glasgow office and takes up the role immediately.

BBC Studios’ Documentary Unit spans five bases across the UK in London, Cardiff, Salford, Glasgow and Aberdeen and its critically acclaimed productions include BAFTA-winning Basquiat: From Rage to Riches, BAFTA nominated Thatcher: A Very British Revolution and Crip Tales, The Met, Inside Culture with Mary Beard and For Love or Money.

Tom McDonald, Managing Director of Factual, BBC Studios Productions sayid: “Amy achieved a huge amount in her time running the Documentary Unit and leaves with a body of work to be proud of. I’m genuinely sad to see her go but I know Alan is the perfect person to see the department though its next phase of growth; he’s been doing exceptional work since he joined BBC Studios a year ago. He’s that rare combination of brilliant leader and exceptional creative.”

Amy Flanagan added: “Alan was a brilliant deputy and lovely colleague – he will be a fantastic head of the unit. Personally, I’m grateful for the support from BBC Studios over the last few months and wish all the talented people in the unit & across Factual the very best of luck.”

Alan Holland commented: “It’s an honour to be given the chance to lead The Documentary Unit. While Amy’s shoes are big ones to fill, it’s a really exciting time to take the reins. I’ll be leading a fantastic team so I’m confident that together we will continue to grow.”