Channel 4 head of factual Ralph Lee has started putting in place his senior executive team after his own recent promotion. Joining him as deputy head of factual is the BBC”s Nick Mirsky while Lina Prestwood is arriving from Current TV as Channel 4 commissioning editor.

Commenting on Mirsky”s appointment, Lee said: “Nick is a gifted and vastly experienced executive producer who has a knack for getting to the heart of stories and is renowned throughout the industry. He is not afraid to take risks and is the creative powerhouse behind some of the most exciting documentaries on the BBC.”

As series editor of BBC2”s Wonderland, Mirsky has overseen the commissioning of five series of the strand since 2006. Standout films include The Trouble with Love and Sex which documented Relate counselling sessions through animation and My Child The Rioter. He has also been the prime off-screen talent behind 20 Louis Theroux films since 2006.

Mirsky added: “It is not easy for me to leave the BBC, but this is a unique opportunity to work with the team responsible for much of our most exciting television about contemporary Britain. I have admired so many Channel 4 series from afar and am really looking forward to being part of the team that commissions them.”

As for Prestwood, Lee said: “Lina has a natural eye for emerging issues and stories and has demonstrated a willingness to be experimental, creative and risk-taking. I’;ve been struck by her innovations in cross-platform ideas and the pitching process. Together, these appointments will complement the strengths of our existing team to create fresh and impactful content.”

Prestwood, who has also worked with independent companies such as Tiger Aspect, Diverse and Mentorn, said: “Mischief, innovation and nurturing talent have always been part of my DNA as a programmer and I am delighted to join a broadcaster that exudes such values.”

Meanwhile, the controversy about C4”s ad campaign for Big Fat Gypsy Weddings doesn”t appear to have harmed the show”s fortunes. The new series (two) debuted with an audience of 5.7m across Channel 4 and C4+1. While this is down around 600,000 on last year”s opening episode, it still blew away the opposition. The show”s nearest rival was BBC1 drama series Prisoners’; Wives, which weighed in with 4.2 million.