RDF producer heads to Darlow Smithson

UK factual indie Darlow Smithson Productions, the company behind Touching the Void, has boosted its senior editorial team with the appointment of Alison Turner as an executive producer.

While at RDF, Turner oversaw Wreck Detectives, Scrapheap Challenge and Scrappy Races. Her 15-year TV career has also seen her work on Panorama and various science docs to factual entertainment shows such as Faking It.

“Ali has a fantastic track record in running long series and will be a valuable asset for us as we continue to expand our output,” said DSP head of factual, Tom Brisley. The move comes just weeks after the company hired ex-Cosgrove Hall managing director Iain Pelling to be its new md, as part of a management restructure.

That saw DSP co-founder John Smithson assume an exec chairman post, freeing him up to pitch and create more. He acquired full control of the company in June 2002, buying out co-founder David Darlow’s 50% stake.