BBC promotes for Scotland chief

UK pubcaster the BBC has promoted one of its execs to lead it operations in Scotland.

Donalda MacKinnon

Donalda MacKinnon becomes director of BBC Scotland, replacing Ken MacQuarrie, who was appointed as the BBC’s director of nations and regions recently.

MacKinnon will oversee all of BBC Scotland’s content across radio, television and online, and becomes the division’s first female leader. She was most recently head of programmes and services for BBC Scotland,

MacKinnon said: “I know there’s a wealth of talent and creativity in BBC Scotland, in the wider sector and in partner organisations. Working brilliantly together, I’m confident we can make compelling and enthralling programmes that entertain and inform all of our audiences.”

She will set the editorial priorities and strategies for Scotland in line with wider BBC strategy as well as leading teams of commissioning and production heads in BBC Scotland.

A former head of children’s and Gaelic services at BBC Scotland, MacKinnon has worked on shows such as Mrs Brown’s Boys, Still Game and Two Doors Down.

Tony Hall, director general of the BBC, said: “In her current job she has been responsible for the teams producing hits like Still Game, Fair Isle and Highlands – Scotland’s Wild Heart. I’m confident that BBC Scotland will continue its creative success under her leadership and will get even better at representing life in Scotland.”

In related news, BBC1 has commissioned UK-based Spun Gold to produce 15-part series Royal Recipes, which will air in early 2017.

The show will see top chefs cook royal food from the past and present while showing viewers how the royal family’s kitchens might have looked 100 years ago.

The series will be executive produced by Juliet Rice and the series producer is Kate Roberts.