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Former BBC and Channel 4 Commissioning Editor Joins Skillset
Fiona Chesterton, a former BBC and Channel 4 commissioning editor, has been appointed Skillset’s new director of TV. The new role has been created to drive forward Skillset’s TV skills strategy, recently launched by the Minister for the Creative Industries, Shaun Woodward MP. Fiona’s career in television spans over 30 years. She was Channel 4’s first Commissioning Editor responsible for daytime programming and BBC Head of Commissioning for Education.
John McVay, chief executive of Pact, and chair of the TV Skills Strategy Committee, made up of industry representatives, which guides Skillset’s work in television, said: “Fiona joins Skillset with an enviable track record of top level experience in Television. In creating this new role we wanted someone from industry to oversee the successful delivery of the TV Skills Strategy which will benefit the sector for years to come. We are delighted to have Fiona on board and are confident that her experience and expertise will contribute to the success and impact of the strategy.”
Fiona Chesterton said: “To keep television in the UK a world-beater and at the forefront of the creative industries, constantly developing the talent and skills of its workforce is vital. I am committed to using my experience and network of contacts across broadcasting and production in alliance with education and training providers to turn Skillset’s strategy into a workable and sustainable reality.”
Fiona’s career began as a graduate news trainee at the BBC in 1975. She worked as a senior producer and programme editor in TV News and Current affairs, notably on Nationwide and the Six O’Clock News. In 1987 she moved to Regional News and Current Affairs where she became the editor of London Plus, re-launching the programme as Newsroom South East. In 1992 Fiona moved to Channel 4 as deputy commissioning editor of News and Current Affairs, where she was responsible for a wide range of programmes including Dispatches. In 1996 she became Channel 4’s first commissioning editor for Daytime programmes completely redesigning the afternoon schedule with a package of successful and innovative programmes, ranging from live light entertainment (Light Lunch) to one of the first of the long-running stripped reality series, Pet Rescue.
She returned to the BBC in 1996 as head of commissioning for Education (later controller of Adult Learning). During Fiona’s later years at the BBC, she also sat on the top-level steering group which developed the concept of BBC3 for approval by the DCMS. She has worked freelance since 2004 executive producing several series for Sky One, Five, and Discovery, working with independent companies, Two Four and Redback Films.
22nd August 2006
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