BBC hires Scottish chief

Donalda MacKinnon has been appointed boss of the BBC’s Scottish operations.

Donalda MacKinnonShe is being upped from head of programmes at the UK pubcaster’s BBC Scotland division and takes over from Ken MacQuarrie, who was recently named director, nations and regions, at the BBC.

MacKinnon’s appointment marks the first time a female exec has run BBC Scotland.

She is credited with helping to bring series including Mrs Brown’s Boys, Highlands – Scotland’s Wild Heart, Trust me I’m a Doctor and kids drama series Katie Morag to the BBC.

She will now oversee all local commissioning and production across TV, online and radio. She said today: “The new Charter offers great opportunities – and a few challenges – as we aim to make great content that reflects Scotland’s diversity and distinctiveness for audiences here, across the UK and the world.”

Tony Hall, BBC director general, said: “I’m confident that BBC Scotland will continue its creative success under her leadership and will get even better at representing life in Scotland.”

Former BBC Scotland boss MacQuarrie said: “Donalda has an excellent track record in bringing a wide range of engaging programmes to our audiences and I know she’ll continue to work with the BBC Scotland staff and the independent production community to build on that.”

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