STV hire new Head of Specialist Factual

Anne Laking has joined STV Productions – the production company and ITV Scotland broadcaster – as Head of Specialist Factual.

Anne Laking says of her new role “I am delighted to be joining STV Productions. Its track record in delivering across a range of genres together with its ability to attract strong production talent provides a great base for building a vigorous and innovative slate of specialist factual output.”

Specialising in primetime science and history programmes, Laking brings over 20 years experience developing and delivering BAFTA and RTS award-winning commissions for both the BBC and an independent production company. While at the BBC, Laking was attached to BBC Vision Headquarters developing ideas and innovation across Vision Productions; as well as executive producing a range of high rating science shows for all BBC channels.

Laking’s extensive work includes Can you train your brain? studio special, Invisible Worlds with Richard Hammond, science and history inserts for The One Show, Darwin’s Dangerous Idea with Andrew Marr, Oceans and Bodysnatchers.

“STV Productions continues to go from strength to strength with a strong pipeline of commissions for new series and one-off projects. Anne’s appointment allows us to further diversify our content offering and build on our current portfolio of work, including recent commissions for the BBC and ITV. Anne brings a wealth of experience, particularly in science and history programmes, and we welcome her to the team as we continue to establish STV Productions as a leading content business in the UK and overseas.” adds Alan Clements, director of content for STV.

Recent STV Productions include 20 part cookery show Country Show Cook Off for BBC2, psychological thriller The Poison Tree for ITV and international co-production Wallace.

STV has also been the company behind many classic programming including popular serial Take The High Road and crime drama Taggart.