Please wait...
Please wait...

Ex-Zodiak US boss debuts UK prodco

Former Zodiak USA CEO Grant Mansfield has launched a UK-based production company focusing on reality and wildlife programming.

Grant Mansfield

Plimsoll Productions, which will have offices in Bristol and London, aims to produce shows for UK broadcasters and US networks.

The move comes a year after Mansfield left his CEO post at Zodiak USA, where he was responsible for series including Secret Millionaire, Celebrity Wife Swap and Hardcore Pawn. Prior to that, he was director of factual, entertainment and comedy at RDF Media, which was acquired by Zodiak in 2011.

Mansfield has enlisted a number of execs from the BBC’s Natural History Unit (NHU), including Gavin Henderson and Martha Holmes, who will take on the roles of creative director and exec producer respectively.

Also on board are Kate Beetham, exec producer factual, and Christine Owen, MD, who will be in charge of administrative, financial and legal aspects of the business.

“Between us, the Plimsoll team has a long track record for producing a raft of international hit series in the non-scripted space,” said Mansfield, who takes on the role of chief executive.

“Working with our broadcast partners on both sides of the Atlantic, we’re confident that that there are plenty more to come.”

Zodiak last week appointed Tony Yates as chief of its newly rebranded US operations, replacing Natalka Znak, who took over from Mansfield.

Please wait...