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.

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 Manager

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.

Matt Shaw

Series Producer

Matt joined Big Wave for Series 1 of My Best Friend's An Animal - and enjoyed it so much he's back for series 2! With a background in observational documentary and popular factual programming, Matt has told engaging human stories for 25 years across a variety of TV broadcasters, digital platforms and social publishers. He's now using that experience in the Big Wave World to create unique tales about the bonds between humans and animals.



Behind the scenes: Matt spent 6 years working for Jamie Oliver - but is still better at eating than cooking. He loves a pub quiz, telling bad jokes and tries hard not to fall off his mountain bike at weekends.

Nathalie Grace

Assistant Producer

Nathalie joined Big Wave in 2022 as an assistant producer. As a qualified HSE4 commercial diver, she has filmed several underwater sequences for various productions. She combines her editorial storytelling skills with camera operation and frequently takes on roles as a shooting 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 crocodiles, and loves going to punk shows in Brighton.

Cecilia Francis

Development Researcher

Cecilia is a Brighton native with experience across multiple genres and a passion for documentaries about history, culture and the underbelly of society.

Behind the scenes: Cecilia has a slight addiction to crochet and loves to forage in the wilderness (she takes ‘getting back to our roots’ a little too literally). She also loves a good cult documentary.

Harry Harris

Production Coordinator

Harry grew up in Brighton and has a background in factual TV production. He joined Big Wave as a Production Coordinator in 2023.

Behind the scenes: When he's not planning shoots, Harry can often be found at gigs and pub quizzes around the city or camping in muddy festival fields.

Corinne Batterton

Junior Production Manager

Corinne recently came back to Big Wave as a Junior Production Manager after a short time away. She originally joined the team in 2021 as a Production Co-ordinator from a career in event management and communications.

Behind the scenes: Corinne loves all the games - board games, video games, escape rooms... all of them! She spends the rest of her time with plants and paints or going on adventures far and wide.

Tavia Davies

Production Assistant

Tavia has spent the past ten years across the UK and Netherlands honing her skills in operations before discovering her passion for factual TV and joining Big Wave in 2024.

Behind the scenes: Tavia flourishes in 'clicking heads' on video games, monitoring the fenestrations of her monsteras, and drawing up dreamy interior designs.

Sophy Crane

Assistant Producer

Based in Sydney, Australia, Sophy joined Big Wave for our ‘Deep Dive Australia’ series for Love Nature, solving the time zone problems down under, Sophy has since worked across Big Wave’s Australian productions and onto the next ‘Deep Dive’ series. She combines her love of cameras and shooting with her science background and story finding ability.

Behind the scenes: Sophy is a divemaster and takes full advantage of Australia’s best dive sites when she can, above the water, she loves to go for hikes and bakes the best carrot cake you’ve ever tasted!

Morgan Dawe

Researcher

Morgan is a Factual/Entertainment TV researcher, with a wide range of formats under her belt. She joined Big Wave in April 2024 and is thoroughly enjoying adding to her stockpile of animal facts.

Behind the Scenes: Morgan has lived in Brighton for almost 10 years and previously studied at the University of Brighton. She loves a hike up the Downs, a saunter along the beach and a pint in one of the many pubs!