Adam Smyth is the Director of BBC Northern Ireland. He has lead editorial responsibility for BBC services and output in Northern Ireland, which includes news and current affairs, BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle, online and digital services and television programmes commissioned for local and UK-wide audiences. Adam has previously held the positions of Head of BBC News NI and Editor of Radio Current Affairs and Digital News. He has been with the BBC for 28 years, having first been appointed as a regional news trainee for BBC Northern Ireland in 1995.
Kevin Kelly is Head of News and Current Affairs. He had been interim Head of News and Current Affairs since January 2022 and succeeds Adam Smyth. Kevin has lead responsibility for the BBC’s News and Current Affairs output in Northern Ireland, including its newsroom operations in Belfast and Foyle and programmes BBC Newsline and Spotlight. He was previously Editor for BBC NI’s Newsgathering and Network News from 2013 to 2022, and Editor of The Stephen Nolan Show on BBC Radio Ulster and Executive Producer of Nolan Live from 2006 to 2013. Kevin joined the BBC as a Broadcast Journalist in January 1994.
Emma Dunseith is Head of Content Production. She provides editorial leadership in the delivery of content across all in-house production outside of News and Current Affairs, including BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle, sport, factual, entertainment, music and events. Her previous role was Executive Editor of Arts, Music and Learning, responsible for all in-house television and radio coverage for these genres. Emma joined the BBC over 20 years ago.
Eddie Doyle is Head of Content Commissioning. The role sees Eddie commission content across a range of genres including factual, entertainment, comedy, music and events. He provides strategic and editorial leadership to the BBC NI commissioning team and works closely with external partners, BBC network commissioning, independent production companies and the wider Northern Ireland creative sector. Eddie joined BBC Northern Ireland as Head of Content Production in February 2018 and prior to this was Head of Factual, Comedy, Talent Development and Music at RTÉ.
Mark Adair is Head of Communications, Corporate and Community Affairs. He is responsible for a range of activities, including partnerships, editorial complaints and Broadcast Appeals. He joined the BBC in 2002 having worked previously for the Community Relations Council, including as its Chief Executive. He is a Board member of the Ulster Orchestra and was a Trustee of National Museums.
Patrice Ash is Senior HR Business Partner. She manages the Northern Ireland HR team and is responsible for enabling the business through delivering the people plan, ensuring effective implementation and review of people policies. She has a dual role supporting Northern Ireland and Business Operations across the nations. Patrice joined the BBC from Marks and Spencer, where she held the role of Divisional Head of People M&S – Ireland Division.
Mervyn Middleby is Business and Operations Director. As part of Mervyn’s remit he leads and co-ordinates all the internal business and operational activities within BBC Northern Ireland, streamlining ways of working and delivering efficiencies. This includes business strategy, budget, resources, accommodation and project management. Prior to this, he was the Senior Head of Technology and Operations.
