The Whisper Group opens Manchester arm led by two former ITV execs

Sony-backed UK sports, live and unscripted producer Whisper has opened a new arm in the North of England.

Tom McLennan

Whisper North sits within the Whisper Group and is based in Manchester, led by former ITV director of entertainment in the North Tom McLennan.

McLennan is joined by development production executive Anna Andrews, a former ITV Studios Entertainment production and development executive.

Whisper North has already secured funded development from three channels, according to the company, and has a pilot currently in production.

In addition to generating entertainment formats, Whisper North will operate as a regional office for Whisper’s sporting production under Mark Cole, MD of Whisper.

Sunil Patel, CEO and co-founder of Whisper, said: “We’re keen for Whisper North to replicate the progress we’ve experienced with our Nations office, Whisper Cymru. Since opening in 2019, we’ve invested in local talent, developed new facilities and staff positions, and experienced 50% growth.

Anna Andrews

“Tom’s connections and significant experience are a great asset and can only help us to establish a strong presence in the North of England, which has been our focus for some time.”

Whisper’s unscripted department has been behind such shows as Inside Monaco (BBC), The Talk (Channel 4), Black and Proud (C4) and Jimmy Tarbuck: The Laughs Are On Me (Channel 5).

Whisper is also handling production of the TV coverage of the Rugby League World Cup, which will now take place in 2022 following a postponement from 2021 due to Covid. The tournament will predominately take place across the North of England.

The Whisper Group now features Whisper, Whisper Cymru in Cardiff, Whisper North in Manchester, Whisper West in Maidenhead, Whisper Australasia in Auckland, New Zealand, and Chapter 3 Graphics, East Media and Moonshine Features in London.

Its co-founders are Patel, broadcaster Jake Humphrey and former F1 driver David Coulthard. Previously a beneficiary of the Channel 4 Growth Fund, Whisper exited the fund in 2020 when Sony Pictures Television invested in The Whisper Group.