BBC Scotland poaches Shine TV exec

BBC Scotland has poached Shine Television executive Natalie Humphreys to become its new head of specialist factual.

Reporting to BBC Scotland's head of factual Andrea Miller, Humphreys will be responsible for developing the broadcaster's slate of specialist factual programming.

The corporation said that her appointment is "a key element of the BBC's strategy to increase television production from national centres".

Humphreys joins from Shine TV, and her credits include various programmes for the BBC, including History Cold Case and Wonderstuff. She also helped develop How Does That Work? for Discovery and ITV1 drama Wild At Heart.

"It's about being genre-defining and I'm looking forward to working with some exceptional talent both on and off screen," Humphreys said.

Celebrating her appointment, Miller commented: "I am delighted that a programme maker of Natalie's reputation and experience, both in the UK and internationally, is joining our team.

"We've built up a very strong specialist factual unit in Scotland on BBC One and Two with shows like Food Factory, Men Of Rock and A History Af Scotland, and it is exciting to take this next step with Natalie leading further expansion."

BBC Scotland chief creative officer Pat Younge added: "Natalie is one of the most creative, inventive and skilled factual programme makers and her arrival is a significant vote of confidence for in-house production. I expect her energy and drive to have a real impact on the BBC's specialist factual slate in Scotland, and I'm delighted she's joining the team."

Humphreys will work alongside Andrew Cohen, head of the science unit at London factual, and Andrew Jackson, head of the natural history unit in Bristol.

Last week, the BBC appointed award-winning journalist John Boothman as its new head of news and current affairs, replacing Atholl Duncan.