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SPEAKERS

Simon Andreae
CEO, Naked Entertainment

Simon founded Naked in 2015 with the aim of producing unique, popular and compelling non-fiction content for television and other platforms. He is one of the industry’s best known executives who has worked in senior posts on both sides of the Atlantic and created worldwide hits as varied as the Emmy-nominated The Story of God with Morgan Freeman and the juggernaut survival format Naked and Afrai... read more

Simon founded Naked in 2015 with the aim of producing unique, popular and compelling non-fiction content for television and other platforms. He is one of the industry’s best known executives who has worked in senior posts on both sides of the Atlantic and created worldwide hits as varied as the Emmy-nominated The Story of God with Morgan Freeman and the juggernaut survival format Naked and Afraid for Discovery.

He started his career at Optomen Television in 1991, moved to Channel Four as head of science and education in 2002, then headed to Los Angeles in 2005, first under an overall deal with Fox TV Studios, then as senior vice president of development and production at Discovery Channel, and latterly as executive vice president, Alternative Entertainment at Fox Broadcasting, where he supervised all unscripted programming.  During this time, he’s collaborated with many household names from Stephen Hawking to Samuel L Jackson, Robin Williams to will.i.am, Gordon Ramsay to Graham Norton.

Outside television, Simon has written four books: Anatomy of Desire, The Science and Psychology of Sex, Love and Marriage and, together with his twin brother Giles, Purple Ronnie’s Book of Love, Purple Ronnie’s Guide to Life and The Smashing World of Purple Ronnie.

He lives in London and Wiltshire with his wife Lisa and their four children Jacob, Jonah, Moby and Fitz.

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Sam Barcroft
CEO, Barcroft Media

Sam Barcroft is founder and CEO of independent TV production company Barcroft Productions and sister company Barcroft Media, the industry leading international media company he set up from his bedroom in 2003. Barcroft businesses create content for a global audience highlighting ‘amazing true stories’. With newsrooms in London, New Delhi and New York supplying video, images and editorial conte... read more

Sam Barcroft is founder and CEO of independent TV production company Barcroft Productions and sister company Barcroft Media, the industry leading international media company he set up from his bedroom in 2003. Barcroft businesses create content for a global audience highlighting ‘amazing true stories’.

With newsrooms in London, New Delhi and New York supplying video, images and editorial content to global media brands such as MSN, New York Post, MailOnline and The Sun, Barcroft Media creates news global stories 24/7 and provides the catalyst for Barcroft Productions’ factual programming output.

Barcroft Productions, the TV production arm of the business creates factual programming for international broadcast channels such as TLC, BBC 2, Animal Planet and National Geographic Channel.

The business also comprises world-leading digital channels Barcroft TV, Barcroft Cars and Bear Grylls Adventure. Channel content is accessible via the free BTV app on mobile, sticks and smart TVs. As of September 2017 the Barcroft TV YouTube channel has attracted over 3 billion views and over 3 million subscribers. Barcroft TV also serves as incubation channel for Barcroft Productions providing optimised broadcast content, pre tested and popular for a global audience.

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Mike Beale
Managing director, Nordics & Global Creative Network, ITV Studios

Mike Beale oversees ITV Studios global formats strategy working in partnership with the producer’s growing family of 60 plus production companies to exploit their content around the world. He has been responsible for the roll out of  international hits including The Chase, Big Star’s Little Star, Keeping the Nation Alive, I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, along with the the growing intern... read more

Mike Beale oversees ITV Studios global formats strategy working in partnership with the producer’s growing family of 60 plus production companies to exploit their content around the world. He has been responsible for the roll out of  international hits including The Chase, Big Star’s Little Star, Keeping the Nation Alive, I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, along with the the growing international footprint of this year’s hottest format Love Island. He joined ITV Studios in 2011 and was promoted to the ITV Studios Board in 2016. Earlier this year Beale was also appointed managing director, Nordics – with this expanded role he oversees ITV Studios’ production businesses in the region along with continuing to lead the global formats strategy. Prior to ITV Beale was vice president of International Television Production at NBC Universal. In 2001 he co-founded 12 Yard Productions, now part of ITV Studios.

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Andy Cadman
Executive producer, Love Island

Andy is a freelance executive producer, currently based at ITV Studios Entertainment Department in London. Now heading up production on new ITV2 show Survival of the Fittest, Andy recently executive produced one of ITV’s most successful shows of recent years – Love Island. Previous credits include I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here, The Only Way Is Essex, The Magaluf Weekender, Geordie S... read more

Andy is a freelance executive producer, currently based at ITV Studios Entertainment Department in London. Now heading up production on new ITV2 show Survival of the Fittest, Andy recently executive produced one of ITV’s most successful shows of recent years – Love Island.

Previous credits include I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here, The Only Way Is Essex, The Magaluf Weekender, Geordie Shore, Taking New York, The Jump and Big Brother.

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Tom Clifford
CEO, HistoryHit.TV

Tom Clifford, CEO of Hit Networks, has a background in investment banking, broadcast TV and multi-platform digital projects.  He is currently leading the launch of Hit Networks’ first subscription video on demand service, HistoryHit.TV.  Over the past two years he has been responsible for the expansion of the HistoryHit audio network from its first show (iTunes #1 ranked podcast – Da... read more

Tom Clifford, CEO of Hit Networks, has a background in investment banking, broadcast TV and multi-platform digital projects.  He is currently leading the launch of Hit Networks’ first subscription video on demand service, HistoryHit.TV.  Over the past two years he has been responsible for the expansion of the HistoryHit audio network from its first show (iTunes #1 ranked podcast – Dan Snow’s History Hit) to a network of five history shows and one million streams per month.  In addition to executive producing broadcast TV series and leading online video projects, Tom has launched a series of award winning iPad apps and recently developed the groundbreaking 360 films – ‘Passchendaele 100 in VR’.

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Jo Clinton-Davis
Controller of factual, ITV

Jo Clinton-Davis is controller of factual at ITV. Her commissions include Long Lost Family, Diana, Our Mother: Her Life and Legacy, The Real Full Monty, Paul O’Grady for the Love of Dogs, HMP Aylesbury, Joanna Lumley’s India, Billy Connolly’s Route 66, Our Queen at 90, The Mafia with Trevor McDonald, Joanna Lumley’s Japan, Killer Women with Piers Morgan. Previously Jo was head of... read more

Jo Clinton-Davis is controller of factual at ITV. Her commissions include Long Lost Family, Diana, Our Mother: Her Life and Legacy, The Real Full Monty, Paul O’Grady for the Love of Dogs, HMP Aylesbury, Joanna Lumley’s India, Billy Connolly’s Route 66, Our Queen at 90, The Mafia with Trevor McDonald, Joanna Lumley’s Japan, Killer Women with Piers Morgan. Previously Jo was head of commissioning for UKTV’s ten channels having been head of independent commissioning at the BBC where she commissioned Masterchef, Grumpy old Men and the Hairy Bikers. She directed and series produced Making Babies with Robert Winston and The Store about Selfridges for BBC One as well as directing many single films for the award-winning strands 40 Minutes and Inside Story.

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Tim Crescenti
President, Small World IFT

Tim and Colleen Crescenti founded Small World IFT in 2005. Tim was named by Broadcast magazine as a ‘Top Dealmaker’ in international television, Tim has brought the world such global hits as Dragons’ Den (aka Shark Tank in his Sony days), I Survived a Japanese Game Show , All-Star Lifeguards, Silent Library, Miss Country Girl,  The Fan and Japanizi Going Going Gong!  Last year, Small W... read more

Tim and Colleen Crescenti founded Small World IFT in 2005. Tim was named by Broadcast magazine as a ‘Top Dealmaker’ in international television, Tim has brought the world such global hits as Dragons’ Den (aka Shark Tank in his Sony days), I Survived a Japanese Game Show , All-Star Lifeguards, Silent Library, Miss Country Girl,  The Fan and Japanizi Going Going Gong!  Last year, Small World launched Eternal Glory on ITV in the UK, and earlier this year with Got What It Takes on BBC Children’s channel which made history as the first Romanian format to be produced in the UK; moreover, it has been renewed for three seasons!  In early September 2016, another new format was launched in the UK, The Retreat on BBC2.

Across the Atlantic, Small World has sold South Korea’s Grandpas Over Flowers format – another historic first as this is the first Korean format to be produced in USA – to NBC has adapted the format as Better Late Than Never.  The series launched to #1 ratings in August, 2016 and was recently renewed.  The fun, unscripted comedy adventure format has also been produced in Turkey and Italy, plus optioned in 13 other countries.

Prior to launching Small World, Tim was VP of international formats for Sony Pictures Television International. Tim acquired such winning formats as the Sony/BBC 2 mega-hit, Dragons’ Den.  Tim also served as VP of international production for Fox World, where he covered the worldwide roll-out of Fox’s formats including Joe Millionaire, and Simple Life.

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Jaimie D’Cruz
Creative director, Acme

Until 2010 Jaimie was based at Keo Films where he produced and directed a range of documentary films and factual and fact. ent. series, as well as making a feature length documentary, Exit Through The Gift Shop, with the graffiti artist Banksy. Exit was released around the world theatrically in 2010, and saw Jaimie nominated for an Academy Award and a BAFTA as well as winning many other awards inc... read more

Until 2010 Jaimie was based at Keo Films where he produced and directed a range of documentary films and factual and fact. ent. series, as well as making a feature length documentary, Exit Through The Gift Shop, with the graffiti artist Banksy. Exit was released around the world theatrically in 2010, and saw Jaimie nominated for an Academy Award and a BAFTA as well as winning many other awards including a Grierson and an Independent Spirit Award.

Jaimie launched his independent production company, Acme Films, in 2011. Over the past six years Acme has produced a varied slate of programming for the BBC, Channel 4 and Sky Arts, including live music shows, an original drama series, and a range of single docs, doc dramas and short form factual series. Acme’s most recent production, CLA’AM, is a psychological horror film about gentrification seen through the lens of coffee.

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Andrew Eastel
Creative director, Middlechild

In 2011, having worked as a producer of factual content for a number of years, Eastel invested money made from the international distribution of a feature documentary he directed into setting up his own production company. He employed a small team and set up an office in Fitzrovia. After a couple of years experiencing the highs and lows of running an indie, Eastel met David Sumnall in 2014. Simila... read more

In 2011, having worked as a producer of factual content for a number of years, Eastel invested money made from the international distribution of a feature documentary he directed into setting up his own production company. He employed a small team and set up an office in Fitzrovia. After a couple of years experiencing the highs and lows of running an indie, Eastel met David Sumnall in 2014. Similarly, Sumnall had set up Middlechild Productions in 2010 with his own, modest investment. Realising they shared a similar vision, both creatively and in business, Eastel joined Middlechild to help produce new content and lead development, he now holds the position of Creative Director.

Middlechild remains a wholly independent production company, ran by Sumnall, Eastel, and head of production Clare Sparks from their Wandsworth base, where the majority of post-production is completed in-house. They produce factual content for both UK and international broadcasters, including; Channel 5, Channel 4, ITV, Sky 1, MTV, ESPN and TERN.

To date, they have secured six series orders from Channel 5 for their Dog Rescuers brand, presented by Alan Davies. The company recently completed production on a new series for the channel, focusing on cats and fronted by Jo brand. In the summer of 2017, they won a six-part series commission from Channel 4, to be made at Middlechild’s newly opened Brighton office.

Focusing on narrative driven factual content, Middlechild are developing various new documentary series, including upscaling their animal based output with ambitious wildlife content in the pipeline.

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Lawrence Elman
CEO, Yaddo

Lawrence Elman is an award-winning documentary producer and director. He is a founder of the global documentary streaming platform, Yaddo.

Nina Etspueler
Executive vice president creative operations, Red Arrow Entertainment Group

Nina Etspueler is deputy to Michael Schmidt, chief creative officer of Red Arrow Entertainment Group, and is responsible for managing the creative operations team. Nina is also responsible for identifying and developing TV formats together with the creative teams within Red Arrow’s network of production companies and distribution arm Red Arrow International; and for consulting with internal ... read more

Nina Etspueler is deputy to Michael Schmidt, chief creative officer of Red Arrow Entertainment Group, and is responsible for managing the creative operations team.

Nina is also responsible for identifying and developing TV formats together with the creative teams within Red Arrow’s network of production companies and distribution arm Red Arrow International; and for consulting with internal and external partners on the Group’s roll-out of global IP and productions.

Etspueler started working for ProSiebenSat.1 Group in 1999. Originally a producer in the talk-show genre, she switched to the entertainment field in 2002. Etspueler was responsible for numerous entertainment and comedy formats including “Elton vs. Simon” and “Comedystreet XXL” and then joined Red Arrow’s creative operations team. After a stint to Berlin to serve as a producer for the award-winning ProSieben format “Circus HalliGalli”, Etspueler rejoined Red Arrow in 2014 and has since served as Senior Vice President Development & Content Strategy.

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CJ Fahey
General manager, VICELAND, EMEA & APAC

CJ Fahey is general manager, VICELAND, EMEA & APAC, responsible for the TV network’s creative and strategic development, as well as overseeing all output across linear, mobile and multi-platform offerings. Having joined VICE in 2014, CJ was integral to the launch of VICELAND in the US, working alongside co-presidents Eddy Moretti and Spike Jonze, on the development and production of the... read more

CJ Fahey is general manager, VICELAND, EMEA & APAC, responsible for the TV network’s creative and strategic development, as well as overseeing all output across linear, mobile and multi-platform offerings. Having joined VICE in 2014, CJ was integral to the launch of VICELAND in the US, working alongside co-presidents Eddy Moretti and Spike Jonze, on the development and production of the channel’s award-winning content slate as well as channel branding.

Prior to VICE, CJ worked on corporate strategy and business development at Fox Networks Group, as well as Fox International Channels and National Geographic Channels in Rome, Italy, having focused on programming and international channel launches.

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Ekin Gabay
Sales director, Global Agency

Ekin Gabay is sales director at the Global Agency, in charge of TV series and format distribution to the English speaking territories. After completing her master’s degree on International Marketing in Spain, she started her career in Chantier Films, an independent movie distribution company. After creating successful marketing campaigns for movies like The Nice Guys, John Wick, Foxcatcher and S... read more

Ekin Gabay is sales director at the Global Agency, in charge of TV series and format distribution to the English speaking territories.
After completing her master’s degree on International Marketing in Spain, she started her career in Chantier Films, an independent movie distribution company. After creating successful marketing campaigns for movies like The Nice Guys, John Wick, Foxcatcher and Sicario she transitioned from the big screen to television. For the last 2 years, she has been responsible for developing projects and partnerships to extend Global Agency content into the US, CANADA, UK and Australia.

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Matt Graff
Managing director, Zig Zag Productions, UK

Matt is the managing director of Zig Zag Productions, one of the UK’s foremost independent production companies, he started his career in Music Television Production; producing and directing live studio performances, documentaries and news features, as well as working on large scale award shows. He was a senior director at Viacom International where he was part of the Networks channel launch tea... read more

Matt is the managing director of Zig Zag Productions, one of the UK’s foremost independent production companies, he started his career in Music Television Production; producing and directing live studio performances, documentaries and news features, as well as working on large scale award shows. He was a senior director at Viacom International where he was part of the Networks channel launch team and oversaw the production output and commissioning strategy for 18 channels across 27 markets. He has consulted for several International Broadcasters and Producers, helping to build their International strategies and sits on the board of Virtual Reality prod-co, VR City.

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Robert Hammerstingl
Executive producer, ITV Studios Germany

As executive producer at ITV Studios Germany Robert Hammerstingl is responsible for Love Island (RTL II), Ich bin ein Star – Lasst mich wieder rein! (I am a Celebrity – Let me in again! | RTL), Die Ausreißer (The Runaways | 2015 | RTL), Achtung Kontrolle-Spezial! – Die (Super)-Reinemacher (Attention Inspection – Special Version! – The Super-Cleaners | kabel eins) and the RTL... read more

As executive producer at ITV Studios Germany Robert Hammerstingl is responsible for Love Island (RTL II), Ich bin ein Star – Lasst mich wieder rein! (I am a Celebrity – Let me in again! | RTL), Die Ausreißer (The Runaways | 2015 | RTL), Achtung Kontrolle-Spezial! – Die (Super)-Reinemacher (Attention Inspection – Special Version! – The Super-Cleaners | kabel eins) and the RTL programme I Am A Celebrity – Get Me Out Of Here!, for which he has been in charge as series producer since 2010 as well. Prior to this he was senior producer for ZDFneo’s consumer protection programme Da wird mir übel (I’m Getting Sick).

From 2011 until 2013 Robert was working as chief segment producer for Let’s Dance (RTL). He started his career at ITV Studios Germany in 2006 as segment producer and postproduction editor for the VOX programmes Come Dine With Me, Come Dine with Me – Celebrity Version as well as Promis unter Volldampf (Celebrities At Full Steam)

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Lilla Hurst
Joint managing director, Drive

Lilla launched Drive, the specialist pre-sales and co-production agency in partnership with Ben Barrett in 2013. They then went on to launch the distribution arm of the company in 2016. With unparalleled expertise in raising production finance from international channels, the company has gone on to achieve great results in its first year of distribution. Hurst and the team work with some of the be... read more

Lilla launched Drive, the specialist pre-sales and co-production agency in partnership with Ben Barrett in 2013. They then went on to launch the distribution arm of the company in 2016. With unparalleled expertise in raising production finance from international channels, the company has gone on to achieve great results in its first year of distribution.

Hurst and the team work with some of the best production companies in the business, including Lightbox, October Films, Oxford Films, Yap Films and Blink Film & TV.

Prior to setting up DRIVE, Lilla founded Lillavision in 2008, working with indies to secure co production and deficit finance. She was previously head of co-production at Channel 5 and head of acquisitions and co-productions at RDF International, now Zodiak.

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Eloise King
Digital programming executive & I-D global executive producer, VICE UK

Eloise King is digital programming executive, VICE UK and global executive producer, i-D. Across VICE’s multi-award winning content business, King has been instrumental in the production and programming strategy of cross-platform documentaries and factual series, including VICE.COM feature length reports, ‘Acid Attacks’; ‘Raised Without Gender’; and ‘Targeted ... read more

Eloise King is digital programming executive, VICE UK and global executive producer, i-D. Across VICE’s multi-award winning content business, King has been instrumental in the production and programming strategy of cross-platform documentaries and factual series, including VICE.COM feature length reports, ‘Acid Attacks’; ‘Raised Without Gender’; and ‘Targeted Individuals’; i-D films ‘Grace Neutral Beauty’, ‘Global Street Style Ukraine’ and ‘JME x Jeremy Corbyn’; and VICELAND TV series ‘Needles & Pins’.

Throughout her career, King’s work as both producer and director has a strong focus on telling powerful human-interest stories from the perspective of marginalised voices, most notably: ‘Kids Behind Bars’ (ITV / BBC3), ‘The Divorce Clinic’ (BBC2) and ‘Gurls Talk’ (i-D). As co-founder of Women on Docs, she also curates monthly screenings and panel events celebrating the contribution of women to documentary film.

Prior to VICE, King’s documentary production credits have ranged across several International territories including: MTV, Channel 4, E4, BBC, BBC New York, ITV, The Fine Living Channel US and Al Jazeera English. Eloise started her career with, Pulse Films, before working under the auspices of filmmaker, Paul Hamann.

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Alison Kirkham
Controller, factual commissioning , BBC

Alison Kirkham was appointed controller, BBC factual commissioning in September 2016. She had been acting in the role since May 2015 and before that she was head of commissioning formats and features for BBC One and BBC Two for five years.  Alison’s commissions include the landmark film for BBC One, Diana, 7 Days, the acclaimed documentary, Rio Ferdinand: Being Mum and Dad as well as Back in Ti... read more

Alison Kirkham was appointed controller, BBC factual commissioning in September 2016. She had been acting in the role since May 2015 and before that she was head of commissioning formats and features for BBC One and BBC Two for five years.  Alison’s commissions include the landmark film for BBC One, Diana, 7 Days, the acclaimed documentary, Rio Ferdinand: Being Mum and Dad as well as Back in Time for Dinner, Eat Well for Less, DIY SOS Veterans Special and Britain’s Spending Secrets with Anne Robinson. She joined the BBC in 2005 as an executive producer of daytime programming and spent six months as acting Controller of BBC Daytime in 2006. Before 2005 Alison worked in ITV Current Affairs on Tonight With Trevor McDonald. While there she worked as a producer/director on ITV’s 9/11 and Iraq war coverage. As well as working in current affairs at ITV she worked as a producer on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here. Her first job in broadcasting was on Radio 4’s Today.

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Dan Korn
Vice president programming, A+E Networks UK

Dan Korn joined A+E UK in November 2016, from STV Productions, where was creative director, overseeing projects ranging from BBC and Channel 4  documentaries, to the Channel 5 entertainment series, ‘Tour de Celeb’. Prior to that, he spent 10 years as senior vice president and head of programming for Discovery Channel UK and EMEA, which he joined, in 2005, from leading independent production c... read more

Dan Korn joined A+E UK in November 2016, from STV Productions, where was creative director, overseeing projects ranging from BBC and Channel 4  documentaries, to the Channel 5 entertainment series, ‘Tour de Celeb’.
Prior to that, he spent 10 years as senior vice president and head of programming for Discovery Channel UK and EMEA, which he joined, in 2005, from leading independent production company, 3BM Television Ltd.  At 3BM, Korn was managing director and executive producer, winning a BAFTA for the film, ‘Nuremberg: Goering’s Last Stand’ for Channel 4, a Broadcast Award for the series ‘Age of Terror’ for Discovery, as well as producing the Emmy Award-nominated ‘Holocaust on Trial’ and RTS-nominated ‘Boy With a Tumour for a Face’.

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Stephen Lambert
CEO, Studio Lambert

Stephen Lambert is one of Britain’s best known creative television executives, responsible for creating reality hits such as Undercover Boss, Wife Swap, Secret Millionaire, Perfect Match and Faking It. His programs have won many awards, including more than half a dozen BAFTA awards, the Rose D’Or of Montreaux (Europe’s top entertainment award) and both Primetime and International Emmys. ... read more

Stephen Lambert is one of Britain’s best known creative television executives, responsible for creating reality hits such as Undercover Boss, Wife Swap, Secret Millionaire, Perfect Match and Faking It.

His programs have won many awards, including more than half a dozen BAFTA awards, the Rose D’Or of Montreaux (Europe’s top entertainment award) and both Primetime and International Emmys.

In 2010, The Huffington Post selected Lambert as one its Game Changers – ‘100 innovators, mavericks, visionaries, and leaders who are changing the way we look at the world and the way we live in it.’ Lambert is the founder of Studio Lambert, which he launched in 2008 with all3media’s support, and the company has since created and produced more than twenty series on both sides of the Atlantic, including the worldwide Emmy-award-winning hit Undercover Boss, which was the #1 new show of the 2009-10 season and the highest rated reality premiere of all time.

Prior to launching Studio Lambert, he was the chief creative officer of the RDF Media Group. He began his career at the BBC in 1983 where he worked for fifteen years making documentary films and series all over the world.

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Melanie Leach
Chief executive , TwoFour

As chief executive of the Twofour Group Melanie oversees nine companies producing a wide range of comedy, drama and unscripted television. Prior to being appointed as CEO in July 2014, Melanie was MD of Twofour Broadcast, during which time the company was named Indie of the Year at the 2010 and 2014 Broadcast Awards. Recent hits from the group include the Emmy Award-winning Educating… brand (C4)... read more

As chief executive of the Twofour Group Melanie oversees nine companies producing a wide range of comedy, drama and unscripted television. Prior to being appointed as CEO in July 2014, Melanie was MD of Twofour Broadcast, during which time the company was named Indie of the Year at the 2010 and 2014 Broadcast Awards.

Recent hits from the group include the Emmy Award-winning Educating… brand (C4), Rose D’Or Winner, The Real Marigold Hotel (BBC1); The Jump (C4); Unforgotten (ITV1); Motherland (BBC2); Posh Pawn (C4), and the world’s fastest selling new format, This Time Next Year (ITV1).

Melanie began her career in production and continues to executive produce some of Twofour’s most popular shows, including This Time Next Year, The Jump and Channel 5’s longest running series, The Hotel Inspector.

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Cat Lewis
CEO & executive producer, Nine Lives Media

Cat Lewis is a multi-award winning executive producer and CEO who runs her own Manchester based independent production company called Nine Lives Media, which launched in 2007.  The company makes documentaries, fact-ent formats, drama documentaries, children’s programmes and current affairs for all the major UK broadcasters and for American channels.  Cat has won two BAFTAs, two national Royal ... read more

Cat Lewis is a multi-award winning executive producer and CEO who runs her own Manchester based independent production company called Nine Lives Media, which launched in 2007.  The company makes documentaries, fact-ent formats, drama documentaries, children’s programmes and current affairs for all the major UK broadcasters and for American channels.  Cat has won two BAFTAs, two national Royal Television Society awards, an International Emmy and many other awards.  Nine Lives is the largest factual producer in the North West and is one of just two companies with an output deal for Channel 4’s flagship current affairs strand, Dispatches.  The company recently won the BBC tender to make Songs of Praise for BBC One from 2017 to 2020, in partnership with the Cardiff based independent, Avanti Media.

Cat is Chair of the RTS North West; on the UK Advisory Panel of the Creative Industries Foundation; is a BAFTA judge; is a Global Ambassador for Manchester and is a former Vice Chair of Pact (the Producers Alliance for Cinema & TV).

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David Mortimer
Director of content, Tinopolis Group

David joined Tinopolis in January 2017 and is responsible for the group’s overall production strategy, creative direction and performance, working across the portfolio of production companies both in the UK and the US. Prior to joining Tinopolis, David was senior vice president, factual & entertainment at NBCUniversal, overseeing the studio’s international unscripted production companies i... read more

David joined Tinopolis in January 2017 and is responsible for the group’s overall production strategy, creative direction and performance, working across the portfolio of production companies both in the UK and the US.

Prior to joining Tinopolis, David was senior vice president, factual & entertainment at NBCUniversal, overseeing the studio’s international unscripted production companies in the UK, Australia, Canada and Asia. Over the course of three years, he grew the unscripted business from just 12 hours in 2011 to over 150 hours, winning commissions from key territories including the UK, USA, Australia, Canada, France and Germany for shows ranging from Made in Chelsea (Channel 4) and The Real Housewives franchise (Bravo, ITVBe, Foxtel, Corus) to Driving School of Mum & Dad (Sky 1) and QuizUp (NBC).

Prior to that, David was co-founder and managing director of independent production company, Fever Media alongside Richard Hopkins, specialising in factual and entertainment programming.  Credits include 71 Degrees North (ITV), The People’s Quiz (BBC One), Bang Goes the House (Sky One), Move Like Michael Jackson (BBC Three), Murder Most Famous (BBC Two), Britain’s Bravest (Channel 5) and America’s Next Top Pop Group (MTV). 

David has also held various production and commissioning roles at the BBC. During his 15 years at the public broadcaster he built a new BBC Entertainment department in London, Manchester and New York, launched Dragons’ Den, and produced the Emmy-award winning Michael Moore’s TV Nation as well as the BAFTA winning Louis Theroux’s Weird Weekends and When Louis Met…

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Hamish Mykura
EVP programming and development, National Geographic Global Networks

Hamish Mykura is executive vice-president of programming and development for National Geographic. Hamish leads the London commissioning hub for the channels, focussed on premium series and events that will air globally on National Geographic. Recent series commissions have included ‘Dian Fossey – Secrets in the Mist’, ‘The Oceans’, and the Emmy-award winning documentary  ‘Challenger D... read more

Hamish Mykura is executive vice-president of programming and development for National Geographic. Hamish leads the London commissioning hub for the channels, focussed on premium series and events that will air globally on National Geographic. Recent series commissions have included ‘Dian Fossey – Secrets in the Mist’, ‘The Oceans’, and the Emmy-award winning documentary  ‘Challenger Disaster – the Lost Tapes’.

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Ed Sayer
Head of original commissioning , Discovery Networks International

Ed Sayer is head of original commissioning for Discovery Networks International, a division of Discovery Communications. He joined the team in October 2015 and in his role, he oversees, commissions and creates content, including series and specials, across all genres for Discovery Networks International’s London production hub to be broadcast in more than 220 countries, including the UK. Sayer... read more

Ed Sayer is head of original commissioning for Discovery Networks International, a division of Discovery Communications.

He joined the team in October 2015 and in his role, he oversees, commissions and creates content, including series and specials, across all genres for Discovery Networks International’s London production hub to be broadcast in more than 220 countries, including the UK.

Sayer is an experienced executive producer and international channel commissioner who has led numerous creative and ratings successes throughout his career and has been responsible for many hundreds of hours of content.  Recent commissions include Idris Elba: Fighter, Artic Waters: The Last Harbour, Ed Stafford: Left For Dead and Body Bizarre.

Prior to joining Discovery, Sayer was VP of Commissioning for National Geographic and has executive produced many of their channel successes including: Science of Stupid; Ultimate Airport DubaiAir Crash Investigation and T.rex Autopsy.

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Keren Shahar
COO and president of distribution, Keshet International

Keren is one of the leading pioneers of the Israeli formats sales market, exporting content of all genres to markets worldwide. Shahar, who joined Keshet in October 2006, is in charge of the company’s international sales, including business affairs, and overall strategy of the company’s international activities. During her tenure, Keshet has sold such formats as: Traffic Light, The Suc... read more

Keren is one of the leading pioneers of the Israeli formats sales market, exporting content of all genres to markets worldwide. Shahar, who joined Keshet in October 2006, is in charge of the company’s international sales, including business affairs, and overall strategy of the company’s international activities.

During her tenure, Keshet has sold such formats as: Traffic Light, The Successor, Prisoners of War, Deal With It, Boom, False Flag and Rising Star. In addition, Shahar was also in charge of Keshet Broadcasting’s Acquisitions department and has licensed formats such as The Money Drop, MasterChef and Make Me A Baby.

Prior to joining Keshet, she worked for two years at Israeli publishing and entertainment company Head-Arzi as a label manager for international gaming company Electronic Arts. Shahar holds a dual Bachelor’s degree in political science and general studies from the Tel-Aviv University.

Shahar was named one of the 25 most powerful women in global television by The Hollywood Reporter in it’s Mipcom 2013 issue.

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Kim Shillinglaw
Director of factual, Endemol Shine UK

Kim Shillinglaw became director of factual at Endemol Shine UK in September 2016. She is the strategic lead for factual programming across the group, and oversees factual production companies Dragonfly, Dragonfly West, DSP (Darlow Smithson Productions) and Tigress.   Prior to joining Endemol Shine UK, Kim was controller of BBC Two and BBC Four, a post she held from April 2014.  Some of the hund... read more

Kim Shillinglaw became director of factual at Endemol Shine UK in September 2016. She is the strategic lead for factual programming across the group, and oversees factual production companies Dragonfly, Dragonfly West, DSP (Darlow Smithson Productions) and Tigress.

 

Prior to joining Endemol Shine UK, Kim was controller of BBC Two and BBC Four, a post she held from April 2014.  Some of the hundreds of hours she commissioned during that time included the award winning Real Marigold Hotel, Exodus, Mum, Boy Meets Girl, Hugo Blick’s Africa, Zadie Smith’s NW, The Dresser, American Crime Story: OJ Simpson, Versailles, Muslims Like Us, Hospital, The Super Rich Season, Chinese School, Employable Me, The Town That Took On The Taxman, Slum, World’s Busiest Railway, Inside The Factory, Great Pottery Throwdown, Extra Slice and Robot Wars.

Kim joined the BBC in 2006 as an executive producer for BBC Factual, becoming Commissioning Editor for Science and Natural History in 2009. During her tenure the number of science hours on the BBC increased significantly, with shows including Stargazing LiveTrust Me I’m A Doctor, The Young Ones, An Hour to Save Your Life, factual dramas such as the RTS-winning Challenger and the BAFTA-winning Frozen Planet, Wonders of the Solar System, What’s The Right Diet For You, Britain’s Favourite Supermarket Secrets, Animals in Love, Bear Family and Me, Human Planet, Planet Earth II and The Hunt. 

Kim has also worked at CBBC as commissioner for Indies, developing and commissioning the first series of Horrible Histories, and in documentaries, current affairs and strategy, both inside the BBC and in the independent sector.

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Amanda Stavri
Commissioning editor, ITV

Amanda Stavri is commissioning editor, for ITV. She’s currently working across shows including Little Big Shots, This Time Next Year and The British Soap Awards, as well as Love Island, TOWIE and The Real Housewives of Cheshire on ITV’s digital channels.  Previously, an executive producer, she worked in factual entertainment, across shows including Come Dine with Me, The Mirror’s Pride of B... read more

Amanda Stavri is commissioning editor, for ITV. She’s currently working across shows including Little Big Shots, This Time Next Year and The British Soap Awards, as well as Love Island, TOWIE and The Real Housewives of Cheshire on ITV’s digital channels.  Previously, an executive producer, she worked in factual entertainment, across shows including Come Dine with Me, The Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards and reality shows, Temptation Island, Peter Andre : My Life and Jean Claude Van Damme : Behind Closed Doors.

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Olli Suominen
CEO, Rabbit Films

Olli Suominen started his career in 2001 as a script-writer on the Finnish version of Have I Got News For You. He worked at the independent production company Broadcasters as script-writer and producer on multiple shows. In 2005 he started as showrunner of the local version of Ant’n’Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, which he oversaw successfully for 7 series. Suominen was appointed Creative dir... read more

Olli Suominen started his career in 2001 as a script-writer on the Finnish version of Have I Got News For You. He worked at the independent production company Broadcasters as script-writer and producer on multiple shows.

In 2005 he started as showrunner of the local version of Ant’n’Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, which he oversaw successfully for 7 series.

Suominen was appointed Creative director of Zodiak Finland in 2008. He returned to Have I Got News as executive producer and also executive produced original formats House in France and Red Nose Bingo.

In 2011 Suominen joined Nelonen, Channel Four Finland, as head of programming. During his time as commissioner Suominen was responsible for huge hits such as Best Singer, Good and Bad News as well as Kitchen Nightmares. He was also responsible for several epic failures including All Star Mr & Mrs and Fort Boyard.

Currently Suominen is CEO of Finland’s leading creator of original formats, Rabbit Films. Rabbit is an independent company specialised in non-scripted primetime entertainment and best known for hit shows such as Celebrity Home Invasion, KING and The Ultimate Expedition. Rabbit has offices in Helsinki and Los Angeles.

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Selma Turajlic
Co-founder, Little Dot Studios

Prior to co-founding Little Dot Studios in April 2013, Selma Turajlic was head of interactive media and licensing, at ALL3MEDIA International where she was responsible for the development and exploitation of the entire ALL3MEDIA portfolio of TV programmes across digital media and consumer products. Before joining ALL3MEDIA International in 2009, Turajlic was director, interactive media at Celador ... read more

Prior to co-founding Little Dot Studios in April 2013, Selma Turajlic was head of interactive media and licensing, at ALL3MEDIA International where she was responsible for the development and exploitation of the entire ALL3MEDIA portfolio of TV programmes across digital media and consumer products. Before joining ALL3MEDIA International in 2009, Turajlic was director, interactive media at Celador International (now part of Sony Pictures Television) where she managed international digital licensing for formats such as Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? and Dragons’ Den. Previous roles include business development consultant at Shazam Entertainment working on technology licensing and devising distribution strategies both in the UK and USA and lastminute.com where she worked on establishing entertainment e-commerce offering.

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Pat Younge
Managing director, Sugar Films

Pat is MD of start-up scripted and non-scripted indie, Sugar Films. A former chief creative office of BBC Production (now Studios) he also led the turn-around of American cable network, Travel Channel Media, and has worked in commissioning, production, news and sport at the ITV, BBC and C4.

Andrew Zein
SVP creative, format development & sales, Warner Bros. International TV Production

Andrew is responsible for the identification, development and exploitation of Warner Bros. formats outside the US. He oversees all creative aspects of the development and production of programming and the licensing of these products. His role also incorporates format acquisitions from local producers around the world, IP management, format sales and international distribution. With a mandate of es... read more

Andrew is responsible for the identification, development and exploitation of Warner Bros. formats outside the US. He oversees all creative aspects of the development and production of programming and the licensing of these products. His role also incorporates format acquisitions from local producers around the world, IP management, format sales and international distribution.

With a mandate of establishing operating production companies in major territories globally, WBITVP acquires production companies which develop original local programming, create locally produced versions of programs owned by the Studio and add new complimentary formats to its catalogue for worldwide distribution.

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