Candour names MD, appoints ex-Nat Geo commissioner to head development

UK indie Candour Productions has promoted from within to fill the role of MD and hired a former National Geographic commissioner to helm development.

Julie Heselgrave

Julie Heselgrave has been upped from head of production to MD, while Hannah Demidowicz has been appointed as the Leeds-based firm’s first director of development.

Heselgrave will be replaced as head of production by Ali Hobbs, who moves up from production executive.

As MD, Heselgrave will be responsible for Candour’s day-to-day operations, monitoring and evaluating its progress and exploring new creative and commercial opportunities.

In a 28-year career in television, Heselgrave has also worked for fellow Leeds-based indies Chameleon Television and True North. She joined Candour in 2019.

Hannah Demidowicz

Meanwhile, Demidowicz, who has worked at Candour for the past year in a consultancy capacity, will spearhead Candour’s development strategy and expand its commissioner relationships both in the UK and internationally in the new role.

Demidowicz was previously a commissioning editor at TCB Media Rights, joining the London-based distribution firm after a nearly four-year stint at BBC Worldwide (now BBC Studios).

At the BBC, Demidowicz served as commissioning editor and commissioning executive and was behind titles such as Stupid Man, Smart Phone and Fishing Impossible.

Prior to that, she worked at National Geographic for more than eight years in roles including commissioning executive and head of programmes in Europe and head of commissioning and acquisitions for Europe.

Anna Hall, founder, director and executive producer at Candour, said: “We’ve come out of the shadow of the pandemic stronger than ever and with a host of really exciting commissions this year, and this change in management structure is a reflection of our growth and our business strategy going forward.

“Candour’s DNA is to make films with courage, truth and integrity both off screen and on screen, and I am so excited that, as a female-led indie, we now have a strong female senior management team that can help me take Candour to the next level. The commitment, energy and vision of Julie and Hannah, both of whom are the best in their fields, will help us to achieve that.”