Hamish Mykura joins Nat Geo in London-based dual role

December 8, 2011 by Adam Benzine

Former Channel 4 (C4) head of docs Hamish Mykura (pictured) has been named executive VP and head of international content for National Geographic Channels International (NGCI), taking on the additional role of London head of global development for National Geographic Channel (NGC), effective early 2012.

In the NGCI role, Mykura will oversee all editorial development and production for the company, working closely with local programming teams and reporting to Hernan Lopez, CEO of NGCI and Fox International Channels. Mykura will be based in London, and will provide supervision for NGCI’s portfolio of networks: NGC, Nat Geo Wild and Nat Geo Adventure.

In the London head of global development role, meanwhile, he will be responsible for bringing projects from UK-based production houses to NGC’s global commissioning team in Washington DC, and in this role he will report to Michael Cascio, exec VP of content for NGC U.S.

“With more than 20 years of experience in the television industry, Hamish brings outstanding insight and vision to NGCI,” said Lopez. “Working closely with NGCI regional programmers and UK-based production houses, Hamish will build upon a solid foundation to bring new viewers to the National Geographic brand.

David Lyle, CEO of National Geographic Channels U.S. and global programming, added: “Expanding our development presence in the UK is key to our strategy of reaching out to the production community globally and forming more partnerships to produce the best programming for our channels. Hamish is the perfect person to be leading this charge for us in the UK.”

Mykura was most recently head of documentaries at UK terrestrial C4 and head of digital sister channel More4. His departure from the network after 10 years with its documentaries department was confirmed last month, after speculation began to swell over his future. He has been replaced at the network by Ralph Lee, who has become head of factual.

In his decade at C4, some of Mykura’s major commissions included One Born Every Minute, 24 Hours in A+E, Fighting on the Frontline, 9/11 The Falling Man and The Hindenburg.

In a statement, he described the new job as “an incredibly exciting opportunity with a major international broadcaster,” adding: “I’m looking forward to using the experience I’ve had commissioning successful series at Channel 4 to find and develop the very best content from independent producers in the UK and around the world.

“I’ve got big ambitions to make these channels more popular than ever.”

Tags: Hamish Mykura, National Geographic Channels International, NGCI