BBC Head of Specialist Factual Commissioning Martin Davidson is to leave the BBC in mid-August to explore new opportunities in and beyond television.
Tom McDonald will take on Davidson’s responsibilities alongside his current portfolio to become Head of Natural History & Specialist Factual Commissioning, Television.
Davidson has been in his current role since March 2015 and before that was Head of Commissioning for History and Business.
His extensive commissioning credits include programming to mark the anniversary of World War I, to shows such as Mary Beard’s Pompeii, and factual dramas like BAFTA nominated Wipers Times, 37 Days, and The Eichmann Show, with Martin Freeman.
Acting controller of BBC factual commissioning Alison Kirkham said: “All of those who have worked with Martin over the years will miss his expertise, his commitment and above all his enthusiasm for the programmes and people he has looked after.
Kirkham added: “Martin’s departure has given me the opportunity to look again at the structure of the department and, at a time when we need to make efficiencies and reduce headcount, I have decided to bring the responsibility for commissioning Specialist Factual, Specialist Factual Formats & Natural History under one role.”
McDonald will now be responsible for commissioning all content across Natural History, Science, History, Religion & Business.
He joined BBC Factual Commissioning in 2012 and has been head of Natural History & Specialist Factual Formats commissioning since 2015.
His credits include Big Blue Live, Attenborough and The Giant Dinosaur, How To Stay Young, Trust Me I’m A Doctor, Inside The Factory, World’s Busiest Railway and An Hour To Save Your Life.
He’s also overseen Life Story and The Hunt, as well as the forthcoming Planet Earth II.
Staff Reporter
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