Niall has had a varied career only starting in TV aged 35. Prior to TV, he studied a neuroscience degree and a Masters in biodiversity and conservation. Using his qualifications and his passion for wildlife and the environment, he worked in academia, zoos and international biodiversity conservation policy. He realised that this world was not for him, and that the media was a powerful way to tell stories and reach people. His journey as a storyteller started off in print journalism writing a column about his life as a wheelchair user.  

Niall truly found his voice and his passion when he moved to the BBC’s Natural History Unit. He initially worked as on-screen talent presenting a range of shows from Springwatch inserts to a children’s factual quiz show. However, Niall realised his skills and interests lay in editorial where he has worked as a researcher and now assistant producer in wildlife filmmaking ever since. 

Despite his disability, Niall’s intrepid spirit and tenacity has taken him all over the world organising and directing shoots in remote locations such as Costa Rica, the Canyonlands of the USA, India, Switzerland and Kenya. Niall has also spent time behind a desk developing ideas produced by the BBC’s Natural History Unit for global clients including Apple TV, Disney+, Nat Geo and Netflix. 

Having worked in production and in development, Niall thrives on thinking how to make ideas come to life and how to construct a programme. His career aspirations are to become producer/director where he can bring his voice, unique perspective and style to factual programme making. Niall has overcome many challenges in his life, but he is always looking for new ones and he hopes that the ScreenSkills Leaders of Tomorrow programme will facilitate his aspirations to be a PD whilst broadening his horizons, bringing new relationships and exciting challenges into his life. 

Leaders of Tomorrow is a three-year inclusion programme for mid-level professionals. Participants are nominated by senior colleagues in high-end TV. Niall’s nominator Sas Bonser said: "I nominated Niall because he has extraordinary potential, he is incredibly strong editorially. He is resilient and a brilliant team player. I think with the right support in place, he can now progress at a swifter pace."

1. Leaders of Tomorrow Bursaries FAQ session

   ScreenSkills · Nov 2023

   ScreenSkills Funded