SandStone Global, the indie behind Bettany Hughes’ Treasures of the World, has secured BBC Executive Dixi Stewart as Managing Director to expand its business.
Stewart’s 30 years of broadcasting experience includes presenting the BBC’s first weekly LGBTQIA+ show, launching Talk Radio UK, and producing flagship programmes for BBC Radio 4 such as The Food Programme, Woman’s Hour and Saturday Live. She’s also edited a wide range of global news events, documentaries, podcasts and series including Fortunately with Fi Glover and Jane Garvey, and the philosophy series Ideas That Make Us with Bettany Hughes.
SandStone founder and Creative Director Bettany Hughes says ‘We are beyond thrilled that Dixi joins us as our new MD. SandStone Global has produced landmark factual series, and award-winning films since day one. We are continuing to expand, fast. Dixi and I have worked together for years. I know there is no one better to join Ruth Sessions, Shula Subramaniam, and our wonderful, hyper-talented and dedicated team to expand our beautiful slate of documentary and audio output – which puts inspiration, internationalism, untold stories and the joy of discovery at its heart.’
Dixi Stewart says ‘Bettany and I have made many beautiful programmes together and I share her enthusiasm for ideas and how the ancient world tells us so much about who we are today. This is an exciting moment for SandStone Global and I’m delighted to be part of this dynamic inclusive company, growing talent and harnessing technology to tell stories that help us understand the forces that shape the world around us.’
Senior producer Shula Subramaniam said: “Producing specialist factual content with a female-led team, who are so passionate about celebrating global stories and culture at SandStone Global is a total privilege. I am thrilled that Dixi is joining us to help us grow and spread that enthusiasm even further.”
SandStone Global was founded in 2016 by Bettany Hughes (Creative Director), Ruth Sessions (Director of Production) and Nigel Gardner (Chairman).
Nigel Gardner, Chair and Co-founder of Sandstone Global, said: ‘Under Bettany and Ruth’s leadership Sandstone has gone from strength to strength. Now we need to grow the leadership team, and we are delighted to welcome Dixi. She is a perfect fit to our DNA.
“We are very ambitious for the growth of company and Dixi will be in the coming few months leading our expansion into new business areas.
Ruth Sessions adds: “It’s the perfect time to expand, grow and bring in new business. We have over fifty hours of primetime programming under our belt, fantastic new projects underway, more innovative formats in development – there are exciting collaborations ahead with new talent and partnerships. Roll on 2023!”
The new series of Bettany Hughes’ Treasures of the World starts on Channel 4 next month.
Jon Creamer
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