Hot Shots 2022: Kitty Toon

Having joined the BBC’s events and factual entertainment team in February last year as a production management assistant (PMA), Kitty Toon has quickly worked her way up to become a “must-have” member of the team, according to BBC Studios production executive of events Gemma Thomas.

Toon has worked on some of the BBC’s biggest live events over the past 16 months, starting with the Invictus Games, where as PMA she “calmly and proactively” wrangled crew through Covid tests, organised sustainable travel to the Games’ location in The Hague, and was a “linchpin” for the team based in London and the Netherlands.

Once the Games were over, she immediately set to work on the BBC’s Platinum Jubilee preparations, working across four days of live events from a studio in St James’ Park. “Kitty shone with her organisation and ability to juggle multiple tasks and many guests. She’s diligent, conscientious and keen to learn,” says Thomas.

Toon then stepped up to production co-ordinator to cover the Proclamation of King Charles III – having been pulled away from working on the 2022 Earthshot Prize when the Queen’s death was announced. She moved seamlessly from covering the proclamation to the late monarch’s funeral service in Windsor.

“During the unprecedented live events, she went above and beyond. She knew how to step up at a time when a lot of people may not have coped with the pressure,” says Thomas. “You can throw any challenge at her, and it’s completed with focus, determination and drive.”

Toon has also been proactive in seeking out sustainable initiatives to improve the events team’s Albert credentials.