Big Wave Productions

Sarah Cunliffe

Founder & CEO

Sarah has won numerous awards and nominations for her work as an executive producer and director. She is a powerful story teller, and loves character-led stories which have a really strong emotional impact . Aspirational, blue sky projects, and projects that make change are typical of her shows. She is a biologist with a special interest in all things marine which is why alongside our films, you'll see campaigns like Help Our Kelp.

Behind the scenes: Sarah was a cave diver on expeditions to the Blue Holes in the Bahamas. She'll often be seen mountain biking on the South Downs.

Kirstie Mclure

Managing Director

Kirstie joined Big Wave as Managing Director in 2021. She's a multi Emmy award-winning leader in specialist factual content and previously was managing director of Pioneer Productions, one of the world’s leading producers of innovative, award-winning factual content, building the company to sale. Kirstie has overseen hundreds of hours of content for broadcast, cable and online providers. A passionate innovator, she brings a unique set of skills and experience to Big Wave as the company builds its specialist factual content.

"Big Wave's programming & the team's passion was a big draw. We share so many creative interests & a drive to make change. This is a very exciting time to become part of the company"


Behind the scenes: When Kirstie is not obsessing about the next best documentary you'll find her in her happy place in the Alps hiking or skiing with fine cheese and wine close to hand.

Mark Woodward

Director of Specialist Factual

From ambitious underwater stunts to complex science series, Mark has produced, directed and edited some of Big Wave's most successful shows. He has received numerous awards for his work with broadcasters including the BBC, ITV, National Geographic, Discovery, and Animal Planet, and is a key member of our development team, generating, writing and pitching a lot of our in house ideas.

Behind the scenes: Mark lives in Brighton where he enjoys going to gigs and exploring the South Downs with his well-used running shoes.

Emma Ross

Director of Natural History

Emma is Big Wave's development lead, overseeing our slate and working with the team to originate, shape and greenlight new projects. She brings a wealth of ideas & experience to Big Wave; for more than two decades Emma has produced, written and directed wildlife and science documentaries. Her award-winning work has been seen on the BBC, ITV, Nat Geo, Discovery, Animal Planet & PBS. She also produces many of our specials, which has seen her chasing whale sharks around the globe and tracking crocodiles in the bush. She is a biologist, passionate about the natural world and has a finely tuned nose for breaking stories.

Behind the scenes: Emma lived in the Atacama Desert for a year, Studied ostriches! And is an enthusiastic cold water swimmer.

Kim Keys

Head of Finance

Kim is a chartered accountant and brings a wide range of experience to Big Wave, having worked across a number of companies from SME to PLC’s.

Behind the scenes: Kim is a regular visitor to the Solent on her RIB and proud owner of two black Labradors.

Mike Cunliffe

Director of Factual and Formats

Mike Cunliffe is an award-winning Development Executive and Director with over 25-years’ experience working in broadcast television. He works across documentary, entertainment, and structured reality formats, and has a long history of developing prime time ideas and taking them to commission. Prior to re-joining Big Wave, Mike’s recent TV series hits, which he created and commissioned, include 'True Crime' for C4, the BBC2 hit series 'Cornwall with Simon Reeve' (which helped to raise over £300k for a local food bank), and the 'Cornwall Air 999' series for Discovery Channel. Over the years Mike has worked with Big Wave on many of our biggest & most ambitious projects and returned to work with us in 2021.

Behind The Scenes: Mike lives in Cornwall, a keen surfer and a beach lifeguard.

Emma Pound

Series Producer

Emma is a Series Producer dedicated to making Factual Television. She has a background as an accomplished Development Producer with a proven track record of shaping ideas into formats. She has a wealth of experience gaining access to large organisations and specialist expert contributors for filming. Emma has spent a number of years travelling around the world Producing and Directing documentaries and specialist factual programmes for all of the major broadcasters. She particularly enjoys making films about science and engineering, animals and telling inspirational human stories.

Behind the scenes: Emma enjoys being out in nature, camping, yoga and spending time with her two young children.

Nina Lowes

Production Mananger

Nina joined Big Wave as a Production Manager in November 2022. Starting her career in production, Nina worked as a Producer on prime-time documentaries for all the major Broadcasters. After taking a break from her career to raise her children, Nina returned to the industry, shifting into Production Management where she’s putting her meticulous organisational skills and knowledge of the industry to use.

Behind the scenes: After years of traveling for work, from Vietnam to Guam, Nina now calls the Sussex countryside home. When not busy with her two young children, she can be found dancing her way through Brighton, indulging her love for Latin dance.

Rhiannon Burton

Editor & Production Assistant

Rhiannon is our in house editor. Joining Big Wave in 2018, Rhiannon also works closely with the team on all elements of production.

Behind the scenes: Rhiannon is a windsurf instructor and spends her weekends at West Wittering beach when the wind is up. If she's not windsurfing she'll be kitesurfing or surfing!

Nathalie Grace

Assistant Producer

Nathalie recently joined Big Wave last year in November working as an assistant producer.

Behind the scenes: Nathalie is a divemaster who loves to be in the water at every opportunity, ideally with a turtle or two. When she isn't underwater, she likes to go exploring the outdoors and camping with her two children and their dog Florrie.

Bobby Cross

Researcher

Bobby is an ecologist from South Africa and joined Big Wave as a researcher in 2020.

Behind the scenes: Bobby used to work as a safari guide and zookeeper. He is obsessed with hippos and loves going to punk shows in Brighton.

Romy Morgan

Researcher

Romy is a researcher who joined Big Wave end of September 2022.

Behind the scenes: Romy loves art, music and the outdoors. She can usually be found wondering around Brighton, trawling through vintage shops.

Natasha Maworera

Office manager/ PA to Directors

Natasha is a recent graduate who joined Big Wave in October 2022 as an office manger and personal assistant to our directors. Through hard work and showing an interest in post production, Natasha has recently been promoted as an edit assistant trainee.

Behind the scenes: Natasha loves art, food, travelling and advocating for representation in the industry.