BBC appoints new factual commissioner

The BBC has appointed Alison Kirkham as the new commissioning editor for factual programming on BBC One and BBC Two.

Yesterday, Kirkham took on responsibility for all commissioning of factual features and formats on the two channels as part of an eight-strong team of specialist editors in BBC Knowledge.

She replaced Jo Ball, who returned to independent production company Ricochet in May.

Previously, Kirkham was a BBC commissioning executive producer, with her recent credits including The Delicious Miss Dahl, High Street Dreams and Accidental Heroes.

"I'm very excited to be taking on such a varied slate of programmes," said Kirkham.

"It will be a privilege to work with such a great commissioning team and talented producers both across the indie sector and in-house."

BBC Knowledge controller George Entwistle added: "I'm delighted Alison has accepted the role as Jo Ball's successor: she's a highly intelligent, creative, energetic and hard-working TV exec and will be a tremendous addition to the Knowledge commissioning team."

Prior to joining the corporation, Kirkham was an associate editor on Channel 4's Richard And Judy show for Cactus TV and a producer/director on ITV's Tonight With Trevor McDonald.