Matisse takes minority stake in Minnow

SAS: Who Dares Wins

Media consultancy Matisse has taken a minority stake in Minnow Films, the UK indie behind Channel 4 format SAS: Who Dares Wins.

Advisory service Matisse, launched in April 2019, is run by chairman Nick Curwin, CEO Scarlett Ewens and director of new business Edwina Silver, who all previously worked together at ITV Studios-owned prodco The Garden.

The firm will now provide long-term strategic counsel to Minnow, which was founded in 2006 by filmmaker Morgan Matthews. As well as the hit SAS format, its slate includes Bad Boy Billionaires for Netflix, six-part series The Yorkshire Job Centre for C4 and BBC docs The Last Survivors and War in the Blood.

The two companies have been collaborating since the end of 2019. Senior management figures at Minnow such as Morgan Matthews, Claire Voyce and Sophie Leonard will work closely with Matisse.

Curwin, who sold The Garden to ITV in 2013, previously sat on the board of C4’s Indie Growth Fund.

He said: “Minnow is one of the most respected and well-loved suppliers, admired in the UK and internationally for its exceptional output. Many of its programmes and films are extremely ambitious and we’re delighted to be helping Morgan, Clare, Sophie and their fantastic team… to build on what they’ve already achieved to further enhance the business.”