ITN becomes latest to set up Leeds shop

UK indie ITN Productions is opening a production base in Leeds, with a number of commissions already secured for factual series.

Ian Rumsey

The offices, which are complete with state-of-the-art edit facilities, are part of the company’s ongoing expansion plans. Last year, ITN Productions produced 670 hours of TV.

Ian Rumsey, director of TV production at ITN Productions, said: “Having a regional office is a necessity for us. It’s vital in order to recruit and develop new talent out of London and to make programmes which truly reflect the nation.”

Rumsey and his team have already secured a number of commissions that will be produced from Leeds, including a six-part series on Winston Churchill for Channel 5 and three more two-hour specials on iconic Britons for the same network. The Churchill series will be the definitive account of one of Britain’s greatest ever leaders, according to the company.

“Last year ITN Productions boasted an increase in the number of hours that we produced, and the opening of Leeds signals continued expansion for us – both in the UK and the US,” Rumsey added.

Recruitment is underway for the teams in Leeds and pre-production starts later this month for the Channel 5 commissions, which will transmit later this year.

It comes after commercially funded pubcaster Channel 4 decided to move its national headquarters from London to the Yorkshire city.

C4 has been followed by producers’ association Pact, commercial broadcaster UKTV and All3Media-owned Lime Pictures in opening Leeds bases.