Poppy Dixon appointed BBC Head of Documentaries

Dixon stepped down from her position as pay TV broadcaster Sky’s Director of Documentaries and Factual last September after five years in the role. Before Sky, Dixon 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.

Her appointment follows a rejig of the BBC’s unscripted commissioning division in February when it created the new roles of Director of Factual and Director of Entertainment in a move that the corporation said reflected “the growing importance of factual and entertainment content” to its programming offer. Former NBCUniversal executive Ed Havard was hired to run the entertainment division, and Fiona Campbell was promoted to Director of Factual.

At the BBC, Dixon will report to Campbell, who oversees Documentaries, Storyville, Specialist Factual, and Arts and Classical Music TV.

Campbell said: “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.”

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