Applicants Sought For BBC Content Commissioner Development Programme

The BBC is seeking talented TV professionals with a disability, and those from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, to apply for its Content Commissioner Development Programme.

Six placements are available for six-month development opportunities to train at the heart of the BBC’s commissioning teams in BBC Two, Arts, Drama, Entertainment, Popular Factual and Specialist Factual.

This will be the third time the BBC has run its Content Commissioner Development Programme, which has helped to attract and cultivate talent within its commissioning teams, where successful candidates have gained insight at the highest level in television.

At the same time, the initiative aims to help address the under-representation of disabled people and those from BAME backgrounds in broadcasting. Some alumni have successfully competed for permanent commissioning roles in the BBC and other top broadcasters.

They include BBC Commissioning Editors Kalpna Patel-Knight (Entertainment); Julie Shaw (Daytime and Early Peak); Muslim Alim (Daytime and Early Peak in Scotland and Northern Ireland); and Sarah Asante (Comedy).

Navi Lamba has been appointed Head of Social Media at BBC Three, and Beejal Patel and Carl Callam have been appointed as Commissioning Executives in BBC Factual Documentaries and BBC Three respectively. Kate Ansell continues her placement with Daytime and Early Peak and Ayela Butt continues her placement in Drama.

Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content, said: "Representing the whole of the UK in all its diversity in our programmes and our commissioning teams remains a priority for the BBC. This programme gives experienced programme makers the opportunity to train at the heart of BBC Content and has already been successful in developing the next generation of commissioners. If you have the right experience, and are passionate about helping to reflect society, we want you to apply."