Lorraine Heggessey

Lorraine was the first woman Controller of BBC One. Armed with a £1 billion budget she launched Spooks and Strictly, reinvented Dr Who and introduced new branding – changing the feel of the network, and overtaking ITV for the first time. 

She then achieved hits at Talkback Thames with X-Factor, BGT and The Apprentice. Away from the media she was appointed CEO of The Royal Foundation with a mission to professionalise and raise the profile of the charity. 

Lorraine started her media career as a producer for Newsnight, Panorama and Dispatches before becoming Head of Children’s BBC and, later, Deputy Chief Executive of BBC Production.

Lorraine’s portfolio career today includes being Independent External Advisor to the Channel 4 Growth Fund, Chair of the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, and Chair of The Grierson Trust, a charity that supports and promotes the art of documentary film making.