Sreya Biswas to lead BBC Natural History Unit

She takes over from Jonny Keeling as Head of the NHU, who is to become a Creative Director at the unit next year, alongside Mike Gunton. Biswas will work alongside Gunton and Keeling and lead the unit’s teams based in Bristol.

Biswas joined BBC Studios in the summer of 2025 as the NHU’s Director of Programmes, where she oversaw a number of commissioned titles and the development of programmes for global clients across a variety of platforms, including the first BBC visualised nature podcast Naturewatch, feature documentary Matriarch, and Blue Planet III.

Previously, Biswas was Head, Commissioning, Natural History, where she oversaw landmark TV series including Planet Earth III, Asia, Kingdom, and Blue Planet III, as well as commissioning Big Cats 24/7, Hamza’s Hidden Wild Isles, Spy in the Troop, and An Hour on Earth. Biswas also oversaw feature documentaries including the multi-award-winning Silverback and Orphan, as well as the environmental thriller On Thin Ice: Putin v Greenpeace.

She is a Grierson Trustee, a film grant mentor for the Save Our Seas Foundation, and on the Wildscreen Bristol and Tanzania Festival advisory boards.

Biswas will report to Kate Ward, Managing Director, Unscripted BBC Studios.

Ward said: "Sreya marries her extraordinary creative reputation and deep passion for the people and programmes of the NHU, with a razor-sharp future-facing vision that will look to deepen and strengthen how audiences can connect to the stories of the natural world. We are delighted to welcome her to this pivotal role and look forward to continued success for the NHU under her inspiring leadership."

Biswas commented: "I feel hugely privileged to be stepping into this role, working alongside Mike Gunton and Jonny Keeling and leading the NHU’s remarkable teams. As the unit approaches its 70^th year, we can look to the future with confidence and ambition, building on our unique reputation for innovation, integrity, and unforgettable storytelling. I could not be prouder to help shape the future of this incredible unit and advance our mission to make people love and protect the natural world, at a time when this mission matters more than ever."

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