Shiver founder heads new Lime outfit

UK prodco Lime Pictures has linked up with the founder of ITV Studios factual arm Shiver to launch a non-scripted production company in the north of England.

Mark Robinson

Wise Owl Films will be based in Leeds, the Yorkshire city recently chosen by UK broadcaster Channel 4 as its new headquarters.

The label will be led by Mark Robinson, who has created more than 200 series and specials for ITV, the BBC, Channel 4, Channel 5, Sky and UKTV Gold during his time at Shiver.

Robinson will report to Liverpool- and London-based Lime’s joint MDs Kate Little and Claire Poyser, with whom he previously worked at ITV Studios.

He will be joined at Wise Owl by Stuart Ramsay (Last Laugh in Vegas, The Miners’ Strike & Me) and Kerry Allison (Elton John: The Nation’s Favourite Song, Unbelievable Moments: Caught on Camera).

“This is an incredibly exciting time to be making shows in the north of England – and in particular in Leeds,” said Robinson. “It feels like a city whose time has finally come; we’re determined that Wise Owl is going to be at the heart of it all, playing a key part in the next step of Leeds’ journey.”

Robinson left the Shiver label he set up in 2007 earlier this year, ending a 28-year association with commercial broadcaster ITV.