STV Productions has appointed BBC commissioning editor Craig Hunter as creative director, factual.
The Glaswegian has most recently been lead commissioning editor for natural history and specialist factual and factual lead for commissioning in Scotland.
Hunter has commissioned programmes including BBC’s Blue Planet Live, Drowning in Plastic and Inside the Factory, and worked across a wide range of formats including live events, social experiments and competitions.
TV production firm wins two year deal to make Beechgrove Garden
His commissions have received of multiple awards including BAFTA, RTS and Grierson. Other commissioning highlights include The Doctor Who Gave Up Drug, Big Life Fix, The Parkinson’s Drug Trial: A Miracle Cure? Grizzly Bear Cubs and Me, Animals with Cameras andAmazing Hotels: Life beyond the Lobby.
He has worked also as executive producer for BBC Science and for independent production company KEO Films, with credits across Specialist Factual, Features, Current Affairs and Documentaries, including the multi award-winning Terry Pratchett: Choosing to Die for BBC Two.
His appointment is part of STV’s three-year strategy for creative and digital growth, through which the company is investing £15 million in content and digital.
He will work alongside Sarah Brown, Creative Director, Drama and Gary Chippington, Creative Director, Entertainment.
Hunter said: “I’m really looking forward to joining David and the team at STV Productions at what is a very exciting time for the business.
“I’ve had an extraordinary four years in Commissioning for the BBC, and I've loved every minute of it. I've been lucky enough to work on a very broad slate of programmes, with many talented people.
“I will miss the team immensely but now feels like the right time to focus my efforts back in Scotland with this exciting new challenge.
“Broadcasting has changed a lot since I've been a Commissioner and I'm excited to turn my creative energy towards new opportunities in the production sector, with STV.”
DC Thomson snaps up radio stations Kingdom FM and Original 106 for growing media empire
David Mortimer, managing director of STV Productions, said: “Craig has a hugely impressive track-record of delivering high quality, award-winning, popular content across a broad range of unscripted genres and I’m delighted to welcome him to the team.
“His vast experience of productions in the Nations will be invaluable as STV Productions continues its mission to deliver fantastic shows produced out of Scotland for UK and international broadcasters. I’m sure that Craig will help with our goal of establishing STV as a major industry player over the next few years.”
