Please wait...
Please wait...

Pioneer Productions picks STV exec

Tinopolis Group-backed UK producer Pioneer Productions has appointed the head of specialist factual at Scottish indie STV Productions to a new role overseeing its factual output.

Peter Collins

Peter Collins becomes head of factual at Pioneer, with a remit to develop, pitch and executive produce its factual slate.

Collins will focus on UK productions and broadcasters while working closely with creative director Thomas Viner, who will concentrate on Pioneer’s US and international slate. He will report to Pioneer CEO Jonathan Hewes.

Collins joins from STV, where he was responsible for securing commissions for both the BBC and Channel 4, executive producing programmes including Britain’s Polar Bear Cub (C4), Lucy Worsley’s Fireworks for Tudor Queen (BBC4) and Britain’s Biggest Warship (BBC2).

Prior to that, he was head of development at Oxford Scientific Films. He has also worked across production and development roles for a variety of indies, as well as BBC Science.

Hewes said the appointment followed “real growth across 2018” for the producer both in the UK and abroad.

“Now is the time to further build on that success and supercharge our pipeline, and Peter’s track record and expertise make him a fantastic addition to the team,” he added.

Collins said: “Pioneer has a fantastic reputation for making ground-breaking, beautifully produced science and factual programming and I’m absolutely delighted to join the talented team at such an exciting time.”

Pioneer’s slate includes science documentary series How the Universe Works for the Science Channel in the US and nature show Nocturnal Britain, which will air on Channel 5 in the UK later this year.

Hewes has been focusing his efforts purely on Pioneer since last year, when Celia Taylor took over responsibility for fellow Tinopolis prodco Mentorn.

Following that shift, Tinopolis promoted its former factual group director of production, Naomi Carter, to the newly created role of chief operating officer for factual content.

Please wait...