Following three successful editions, the reputation-building development programme Factual Fast Track Scotland and Northern Ireland is returning to Scotland and Northern Ireland with a new cohort of Producers and Series Producers.
The year-long development programme is supported by BBC, Channel 4, Northern Ireland Screen and Screen Scotland and will be delivered by Glasgow-based training organisation TRC.
Designed to accelerate the careers of Scotland and Northern Ireland’s most talented and creative factual producers by raising profiles, enhancing skills, and expanding networks, the programme will be taking place from February to December 2026.
Successful candidates will benefit from top-flight industry training, paid production placements, commissioner and industry mentors, exclusive access to commissioners, insight into commissioning processes and priorities.
Participants on last year’s edition benefitted from paid placements on productions such as the ITV series, The Assembly for Rockerdale Studios, and the BBC series, Surgeons: at the Edge of Life for Dragonfly Film and TV, which provided valuable and rewarding experience on award-winning network television.
In addition, the cohort were provided with exceptional opportunities, such as exclusive commissioning insights with broadcasters, Sky Docs, Apple, Netflix, Amazon, Channel 4, BBC and Channel 5, as well as one to one support via assigned mentors.
Producer/Director Ben Jamieson, who joined last year’s edition of Factual Fast Track and has since received his first Series Director credit working for Rare TV on “Hold the Front Page” commented on his experience on the programme: “During the course I’ve had my first Series Director Role, been the lead PD on a new Channel 4 series, and got back into development. It’s given me a real opportunity to focus on taking the right roles and developing my career.”
The selected delegates taking part in the course are:
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Ally Thompson, Senior Producer, Northern Ireland
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Cailean Watt, Series Director, Scotland
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Caoimhe Ni Chathail, Series Producer, Northern Ireland
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Catalina Bingham, Producer/Director, Scotland
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Dominic Gallagher, Series Producer, Scotland
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Edel O’Mahony, Series Producer, Northern Ireland
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Ellie Campbell, Senior Producer, Northern Ireland
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Emma Fentiman, Series Producer, Scotland
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Lesley McKeran, Series Producer, Scotland
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Philip Goldie, Series Producer, Scotland
Claire Scally, TRC’s Managing Director said: "We are pleased to announce the return of Factual Fast Track for its fourth edition, continuing the programme’s focus on supporting and developing local SP talent. With the valued backing of our funding partners, the initiative will once again create opportunities for producers from Scotland and Northern Ireland to build experience, strengthen their skills, and expand their professional networks. We look forward to welcoming a new group of delegates and supporting them as they raise their profiles within the industry."
Dani Carlaw, Head of Unscripted at Screen Scotland said: “Factual Fast Track returns in 2026 to accelerate the development of Scotland’s senior factual creatives. Investing in leadership is essential if we want to see more ambitious, internationally resonant productions coming out of Scotland. This programme is about growing the scale, confidence and diversity of Scotland’s factual slate — and the opportunities that brings for the wider screen industry.”
Fiona Campbell, Director of Factual says: “The BBC is committed to nurturing off-screen talent and supporting the creative economies across the UK. Factual Fast Track is an important initiative to help grow the talent pipelines and ensure the best of British storytelling from across our regions and nations.”
Jo Street, Director of Commissioning, Nations & Regions & Head of Lifestyle, and Head of Channel 4’s Glasgow Hub, said: “Developing creative talent across the Nations is central to Channel 4’s mission, and through 4Skills — which funds Channel 4’s contribution — Factual Fast Track plays a vital role in opening doors for ambitious producers in Scotland and Northern Ireland. It gives people the chance to step up, gain real commissioning experience and build the confidence to lead. We’re pleased to continue backing a scheme that helps broaden the pool of factual voices shaping programmes for audiences across the UK.”
Richard Williams, Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Screen commented: “Congratulations to this year’s Northern Ireland participants selected for Factual Fast Track. The programme provides a fantastic opportunity to support and champion the exceptional factual talent emerging from Northern Ireland. Our producers and series producers are making a significant impact across the UK industry, and as Northern Ireland’s factual production sector continues to grow in strength and global competitiveness, initiatives like this help ensure talent can further develop their skills, expand their networks and access new opportunities. They also follow in the footsteps of previous alumni from Northern Ireland who continue to achieve great success across the industry.”