McLure named Big Wave MD

Sarah Cunliffe & Kirstie McLure

Kirsty McLure, the former MD of Tinopolis-owned UK prodco Pioneer Productions, has taken the same position at science and wildlife indie Big Wave Productions.

McLure was MD of Pioneer from 2012 to 2016, and her arrival at Big Wave comes as company founder Sarah Cunliffe moves from MD to CEO.

At Pioneer, McLure drove the company’s expansion beyond its science remit, growing its output in fast-turnaround science documentaries, lifestyle and natural history. She also set up the company’s LA office.

Alongside McLure’s appointment, Big Wave creatives Mark Woodward and Emma Ross have been named creative directors of the company to work alongside McLure and Cunliffe to build its creative vision and output.

Biologist Ross has been Big Wave’s head of development since 2008, overseeing the firm’s slate and working with its team to originate, shape and greenlight new projects. In more than two decades in the industry, Ross has produced, written and directed wildlife and science documentaries for broadcasters around the world.

Woodward has been a director and series producer at Big Wave for the past 10 years. He has received numerous awards for his work with broadcasters including the BBC, ITV, National Geographic, Discovery and Animal Planet.

Cunliffe said: “This is a hugely exciting appointment that will help us to accelerate our growth. Kirstie’s appointment, coupled with the strengthening of the wider senior team, allows us to scale up our capacity to meet the increased demand we have seen for our programming.

“Kirstie is known for creating hundreds of hours of specialist factual programming for UK, US and international broadcasters. We have a tremendous overlap in our shared interests and vision for the company. We couldn’t ask for a better MD.”

McLure added: “Big Wave has been at the forefront of blue-sky innovative specialist factual programming for some time. Their ability to combine deep-dive stories and the most outstanding visuals with passion and true understanding of the genre is exceptional. Not only are they producing content of the highest quality for broadcasters, their content inspires audiences and helps make real change. Never have I seen a company put so much heart and soul into its storytelling.”