Former long-time Science Channel executive Bernadette McDaid has joined National Geographic as commissioning editor.

McDaid (pictured) is tasked with the overseeing and developing series for the National Geographic Channels, as well as working alongside UK and international production companies to find major premium series and events for the network.

Based in London, she reports into Hamish Mykura, EVP of programming and development.

Most recently, McDaid served as head of current production at Science Channel, where she was responsible for overseeing such factual successes as four-time Emmy-nominated Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman, Emmy-nominated Rising: Rebuilding Ground Zero with Steven Spielberg, and BBC copros Wonders of the Solar System, The Challenger Disaster.

“Bernadette has a superb depth of knowledge of factual TV, long experience with U.S. and UK channels and an unstoppable enthusiasm for making great programs, and she’ll be a huge asset to the team,” Mykura said, in a statement.

“Bernadette is an experienced and highly creative executive who will be a great part of the team bringing in the big and groundbreaking premium series that are redefining National Geographic,” added National Geographic’s president of original programming and production Tim Pastore.

Meanwhile, National Geographic has elevated Francesca Johnson to the post of director of development and production for the UK-based office. She will continue to report to Mykura as part of the London development team.