Heather Davies

Radio, Podcasts, Comedy, Documentaries, Events and Online

• Teach Me A Lesson with Greg James and Bella Mackie (BBC Radio 5 live / BBC Sounds) 2021-present (currently on hiatus) Brought in to produce series 2 and 3 of this top-rated iTunes podcast, casting prospective teachers, helping them structure an engaging lesson, coaching their delivery, and then producing and editing the lesson itself.  Described as “surprisingly interesting” by the Guardian.  Companion guest-focussed podcast has featured Ed Sheeran, Mel C and Jimmy Anderson.

“Heather’s an amazing producer“

– Jeremy Vine

Radio Producer – Wise Buddah/Listen for BBC Radio 2 (July 2016 – March 2021)

• Johnnie Walker’s Sounds of the 70s (BBC Radio 2, every Sunday 3-5pm) Lead this established show to a string of record RAJARs and a regular top spot in the AIs. 

• Claudia On Sunday (BBC Radio 2, every Sunday 7-9pm) Worked with one of the BBC’s most high-profile presenters on a companionable Sunday evening show.  Also produced Matt Lucas, Ore Oduba and Scott Mills in this slot.

Freelance Radio Producer (October 2013-February 2018)

• Producer: ‘Martin Morales’ Peruvian Roadtrip’ – BBC Radio 4 & BBC World Service (Oct 2017-Feb 2018).  Peruvian-born chef and record producer Martin Morales heads back to his homeland to explore the inherent link between food and music in Andean culture in this award winning documentary. (for Blok Media)
• Producer: ‘Speech Bubble’ spoken word and comedy series – BBC English Regions (Jan 2014 – Jun 2015) Sourced local contributors and produced live shows for two series of this pilot project which would eventually become the BBC Uploader project.

• Senior Producer: specialist shows, BBC Asian Network (Jan 2015 – Oct 2015) Wise Buddah Managing team of producers and APs working across 4 weekly strands, working to develop the skills of both talent and staff.

• Producer: ‘Panjabi Hit Squad’ Saturday nights, BBC Asian Network (Mar 2014 – Oct 2015) (Wise Buddah) Completely redrew clock and created new features with team, building their confidence and radio skills, leading to record RAJARs and their first award win at the Asian Media Awards.

Best producer everrr…!

– Yasser

• Producer: ‘Yasser’ Friday new music show, BBC Asian Network (Sept 2014 – Oct 2015) (Wise Buddah) Worked to develop the presentation skills of this young presenter, leading to his first Radio 1 cover shifts, and his eventual permanent slot on Asian Network Drivetime and now Capital Xtra Drive.

• Producer: Asian Network talent-search pilots feat. Guz Khan, Preeya Kalidas, Mim Shaikh & Harpz Kaur. Worked with the network to locate new talent, produced creative pilots leading to 4 commissions – including first BBC appearances for Guz Khan and eventual breakfast host Harpz.

• Producer: ‘Three Continents, Three Generations,’ documentary BBC Radio 4 (tx 14^th May 2014)
• Producer: ‘Jon Holmes & Miranda Hart,’ Christmas special BBC Radio 2 (tx 23^rd December 2013)
• Producer: ‘Cliff at Christmas,’ BBC Radio 2 (tx 24^th December 2013)
• Regular cover AP for ‘Simon Mayo Drivetime’ BBC Radio 2 (Feb 2014 – July 2015), plus other ad-hoc shifts for BBC Radio 2, 6 Music, Asian Network, BBC Berkshire etc.

Broadcast Journalist & Social Media Producer – BBC Berkshire (Jan 2014 – April 2014)

• Weekend producer, working with Matt Allwright, Debbie McGee, Henry Kelly, Paul Ross and Paul Coia.
• Social media strategist, tasked with developing station’s online presence across Facebook and Twitter.

Lead Editorial Producer – BBC at the Edinburgh Festivals (August 2012 – September 2013)

Responsible for over 120 hours of content, managing content team and producing 30 sell-out shows, including:

• BBC Presents strand of late-night mixed bill stand-up shows, showcasing the best of the Festival.
• Edinburgh Exclusives strand of interviews and masterclasses featuring top BBC Talent.

Head of Content – Unusual Productions

• Alternative Review of the Year with Jon Culshaw, The Sunday Times (December 2012).  Producer of this comedy podcast, featuring Jon Culshaw’s cast of characters including Prince Philip, Boris Johnson and Roger Moore.
• The Petula Clark Story, BBC Radio 2 (Tx 5^th & 19^th November 2012).  Producer of this 70 year career retrospective of one of the most loved artists of the 20^th Century.   Very well received by press and the network.  “Why Clark isn’t a Dame really is a mystery after hearing this excellent, well-produced documentary” (The Guardian). (for TDC)
• The Listeners’ Archive: Cassette Edit, BBC 6 Music (Tx 18^th November 2012).  Producer of this exploration of listeners’ personal BBC archives, presented by Steve Lamacq. (for TDC)
• Masterclass Events Programme, BBC Edinburgh Festival (August 2012).  Produced over produced over 20 hours of content at the BBC Edinburgh Festival – working across all BBC Radio with talent including Paul Merton, Nicholas Parsons, Alan Davies, Charlie Brooker, Al Murray, and Nick Grimshaw.
• The Austerity Games, BBC Radio 2 (Tx 31^st July 2012).  Producer of this look back at the last London Olympics, described by Chris Evans as “breathtakingly brilliant … one of the best hours of radio I have ever heard.” (for USP)

Radio Producer – Trevor Dann’s Company

• Sounds of the 20^th Century, BBC Radio 2 (Tx April 2011 – March 2012). Lead researcher and assistant producer on landmark 50 part series described as a “major critical success” for the network. Role included running the @Sounds20thC twitter account, and producing a weekly slot on Jeremy Vine’s Radio 2 show.
• The Band Behind Bars, BBC Radio 2 (Tx 29^th November 2011). Producer of this ground breaking documentary, presented by Craig Charles, following prisoners’ rehabilitation through music, culminating in a concert with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, described by the Guardian as “incredibly moving”.
• Radio 2011, BBC Radio 5 live (Tx 25^th December 2011).  Researcher and assistant producer on this one-off look back at the year in radio, hosted by Jane Garvey and Mike Toolan.

Audio Producer / Events & Communications Officer – The Radio Academy

• Masterclasses & Events: Managed the youth development programme including a yearly Masterclass at Radio 1’s Big Weekend, provided event production at the UK Radio Festival, UK Radio Hall of Fame, Radio Production Awards, Promotion & Marketing Awards, and co-ordinated activities across the 13 regional Branches including the administration of the Nations & Regions Awards.
• Audio / Communications / Design: Responsible for all Academy event audio, social media presence, and for developing and administrating new website; designed marketing materials and logos, and wrote copy for newsletters, press releases and brochures.
• RadioTalk Podcast:  Producer of weekly radio industry podcast covering the latest radio news, technology and content.

Project Manager – Global Radio, London

• Developed understanding of the commercial end of radio – from researching potential clients, to pitching effectively, and reporting back to existing clients in order to ensure return business.