The BBC has appointed Poppy Dixon as its new Head of Documentaries.
The appointment of a new Head of Documentaries follows changes to the senior leadership team that created two new Director roles – Director of Factual and Director of Entertainment.
Dixon will report into Fiona Campbell, BBC Director of Factual, who oversees Documentaries, Storyville, Specialist Factual, and Arts and Classical Music TV.
She spent five years at Sky as Director of Documentaries and Factual, where she built and led Sky’s factual department, delivering programmes including Lockerbie and Otto Baxter: Not a F***Ing Horror Story. As part of her remit, she oversaw commissioning for Sky Crime with premium boxsets such as Libby, Are you Home Yet? and led Sky Nature’s ventures into blue chip natural history programming with Secret World of Sound with David Attenborough.
Dixon has a strong track record of championing emerging talent – establishing a New Directors scheme and a development fund supporting diverse-led independent production companies.
Prior to Sky, she built up over 15 years’ experience working in production and development at companies including Raw and Lightbox and has spent five years of her career developing and producing in New York.
Dixon worked on Misha and the Wolves for BBC Storyville and Boyzone: No Matter What.
Fiona Campbell, BBC Director of Factual, says: “BBC documentaries are among the most powerful and distinctive programmes we make, reaching millions of viewers across the UK and beyond. They champion exceptional storytelling, uncover compelling perspectives and bring audiences closer to the issues and experiences that shape our world. Poppy’s creative energy, editorial leadership and proven track record in delivering standout documentary programming make her ideally placed to drive this genre forward, ensuring we continue to offer audiences ambitious, innovative and world-class documentaries.”
Poppy Dixon says: “BBC documentaries have inspired me throughout my life and career, so it is an enormous honour to join this world-class team, and to help shape its future through this pivotal time for the organisation.
“In a rapidly evolving media landscape, I see huge opportunities to innovate and to build on the BBC’s phenomenal creative strengths. I’m really excited to work closely with our vibrant, talented documentary community across the UK, and together build a slate to engage, captivate and entertain BBC audiences wherever they find their content.”
Dixon will take up her role in late summer.
Pippa Considine
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