BBC names Natural History head

British public broadcaster the BBC has promoted Wendy Darke as head of its Natural History Unit. This follows the departure of Andrew Jackson, who has joined international factual broadcaster Discovery in a global production role.

Darke has worked at the unit for 20 years and has produced big budget factual series including Big Cat Diary, Wild and Dangerous and Natural Born Hunters. She also created kids series Deadly 60 for CBBC.

She will work closely with NHU creative director Mike Gunton and controller of factual production Tom Archer.

“There are some exciting challenges ahead and I look forward to seeing the NHU broaden its range of quality output whilst maintaining its reputation as number one in the world in natural history landmark production,” said Darke.