TRC - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- New Entrant Training Manager
Amy's background is in learning and development. She has had various training roles since moving back to Glasgow from Shanghai, in business outsourcing and, more recently, in higher education. As New Entrant Training Manager, Amy aims to support TRC alumni and current trainees to find their feet in the industry.
Andrew Chitty has three decades of experience in the creative industries, with a career spanning across television and digital. In January 2017 he became the first ever Creative Economy Champion for the Arts and Humanities Research Council, working to foster partnerships between academics and the rapidly growing creative industry in the UK. He is professor of Creative and Digital Media at the Royal Holloway, University of London and Director of the business advisory network Cranehill, which provides practical, specialist advice to high growth SME's in the creative and digital sector.
In 1998 he founded multi-BAFTA award winner Illumina Digital, one of the UK's leading convergent media producers, established to develop new forms of interactive content and services from TV to the web, real world installations to mobile channels.
Prior to founding Illumina, Andrew pioneered the combination of television production with interactive media while editing the BBC series, ‘The Net' and as an award-winning creative producer for Granada Education, Channel 4 Schools, Microsoft Network and BBC Science.
Andrew is former Vice Chair of the producers' trade body PACT, a board member of Creative Skillset, and a founding director of Creative England.
Beverley has over 20 years of experience working in the screen sector, with an extensive background in skills development, marketing, masterclasses and delivery of events for the television, film and games sectors. Prior to joining TRC, Beverley was Head of Programmes at Indielab, and responsible for overseeing all of their bespoke growth accelerator and export programmes for TV, film, games and animation companies, working across the Nations and Regions. Previous to that, she developed the learning, inclusion and talent strategy for BAFTA Scotland, and created a learning programme which reached audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
Caroline's fifteen-year career in the creative industries has spanned Music, Events and most recently Television Post-Production. She has served on the board of the SMIA (Scottish Music Industry Association) and is one of the founding directors of Screen Facilities Scotland. Recently she headed up an independent music production company which saw her manage a diverse range of productions across the UK and US. Caroline is passionate about the creative industries and has chaired and participated on panels for the likes of BAFTA, PRS for Music and the Edinburgh Film Festival, and delivered guest lectures to students across various colleges and universities
Claire has worked in the creative and digital media sectors in Ireland and Scotland for over 25 years, with training and development of talent having always been a key focus for her. She moved to Scotland in the late ‘90s to set up Moonstone International Screen Labs - an international development programme for feature film writers and directors, founded in association with the Sundance Institute in the US. She has held senior roles at Pact, Scottish Enterprise and Ilumina Digital. Claire is a member of BIMA's Scotland Council and in May 2018 was named as one of the BIMA100, which celebrates the people who are shaping the British digital industry.
Claudia's background is in film festivals and events. Since graduating in Digital Media/Film & TV from the University of Glasgow, she has worked with several Glasgow based film festivals in administrative, marketing, volunteer coordination and programming roles. Claudia aims to support the promotion of TRC's training programmes to encourage wider participation and diversity within the television industry.
Job Titles:
- Director of Talent, Commissioning at BBC
- Is Director of Talent
Dawn Beresford is Director of Talent, Commissioning at the BBC, developing and leading plans to drive the strategy for commissioning roles at the BBC, working closely with the Senior creative team, along with Indie Relations, Resourcing and Creative Diversity to support a holistic approach to off-screen talent across the Content group. Dawn also works with external partners to support the short and long-term health of skills and culture across the UK's creative industries.
Previously Dawn was at independent producers CPL Productions and Arrow International Media, and has a huge range of experience across the media industry in roles across talent development, commissioning and production, as well as offering training and consultancy to a wide range of companies and bodies across TV and Radio.
Elaine graduated from Glasgow University in 2004 in Theatre, Film and TV and has worked in the film and TV industry in various roles including assistant producing and production management. Working across multiple genres including travel, celebrity entertainment, specialist factual for clients including BBC, ITV, Channel 4, History Channel USA in shows such as Lost Kingdoms of Africa, The Guess List, What the Earth is Worth and Air Ambulance ER. A career highlight was working on the production of the Hollywood movie Cloud Atlas and filming in the legendary Pinewood Studios. While she had her two young children Elaine worked with CEO's and senior execs managing their company events and travel for a large global clinical research company which was insightful. She also gained her post graduate diploma in Education (PGDE) and is passionate about encouraging people to continue professional development and lifelong learning in the film and TV industry
Job Titles:
- Business Affairs Consultant
After finishing training at Beggars Group and Statham Gill Davies, Henriette began consulting for clients in the music industry in 2000. She has held long term business affairs consultancy roles over the years at companies such as Air-Edel, Cutting Edge, Beggars and Instant Karma as well as representing individual artists, composers, producers, songwriters and managers. Henriette also has a wealth of live events experience through her experience working on London Calling. Henriette specialises in all matters music and events related.
Job Titles:
- Creative Director at Big Mountain
Jane has created, developed and Executive Produced award winning factual entertainment formats that have sold internationally at Big Mountain including Genealogy Roadshow for PBS, Roomies for FYI, Pet Nation for BBC, So Fleeked Up, Extreme Makeovers: On Fleek, My Family Secrets Revealed, Ireland with Ardal O'Hanlon and Addict's Symphony for Channel 4 and Wild Ireland for ITV1.
Jane specializes in creating audience-winning new hybrids for TV, bringing new and exciting talent to screen and building top teams to develop and deliver to broadcasters, all from Big Mountain's Northern Ireland base. In December 2020 Jane was elected to Pact Council, where she serves as National Representative for Northern Ireland.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the TRC Board of Directors / Managing Director, Raise the Roof Productions ( RTRP Ltd. ) & Vice Chair, Pact Council
As co-founder and Managing Director, Jane is responsible for Raise the Roof's strategic direction and the running of the company. Throughout its 8 years, the company has been recognised as one of the fastest growing Indies in the UK, delivering almost 450 hours of network TV and selling to over 40 countries worldwide.
Popular brands include Kirstie's Fill Your House for Free, Holiday of My lifetime with Len Goodman and Kirstie and Phil's Love it or List it. Under Jane's leadership, the company featured in the industry bible Broadcast, as one of the top 20 Best Places to Work in TV in 2016 and 2017.
Jane works tirelessly to champion television production; serving six years as National Director for Scotland on Pact Council (the U.K. wide trade body representing the Indie sector) and chairing the Scottish TV Working Group. She currently sits on a number of industry steering groups including the Screen Sector Leadership Group. Jane also sits on Creative Skillsets TV Funding Committee and is Chair of the Royal Television Society, Scotland. She also holds an Honorary Professorship from Stirling University. Jane has also been invited to give evidence to parliamentary committees and actively engages with the Scottish and UK governments on issues affecting the industry.
Jane is passionate about skills and the development of the next generation of talent. She encourages all staff at RTRP to engage and work collaboratively with local community groups, schools and further and higher education establishments to help ensure the Scottish sector attracts and nurtures a diverse talent pool, ready to produce the best, world-class content.
In a career spanning nearly 30 years Kathryn has produced and directed a range of highly rated programmes for the BBC, Channel 4 and the Discovery Channel. Previous credits include Crimes That Shook the World, The Kirsty Wark Show, My Childhood, Scotland's Clans and Location, Location Location.
Since graduating from University of Glasgow with a degree in English Literature, Kendra initially worked in a people management role before pursuing her passion to work in the Broadcast Industry through writing and performing. Kendra carries out the Project Coordinator role at TRC by combining her interest in the industry and her practical skillset to help co-ordinate and assist with ongoing and new projects.
Job Titles:
- CEO and Co - Founder of Stellify Media
- Writer
Kieran Doherty is a Northern Irish writer, TV Format Creator, Executive Producer and Public Speaker. He is also the CEO and Co-Founder of Stellify Media, alongside his creative and business partner, Matthew Worthy.
Job Titles:
- Business Affairs Consultant
Kirsty is a highly experienced, creative and collaborative media and compliance consultant working across all traditional and new media platforms with a passionate belief in free speech and the power of communication. She has worked for many years at the highest level in the media industry and regularly deals with cutting-edge legal issues and high-profile matters for national and international publishers and broadcasters dealing with all content and compliance issues as well as with legal and regulatory complaints. She worked for many years at RPC, the leading defendant media litigation practice in the country. She then moved in-house enjoying senior roles at Penguin Books, the Daily Mail/MailOnline and The Times and The Sunday Times. Kirsty now advises a range of digital, print, audio, TV and film producers and publishers across all genres from investigative reporting to lifestyle podcasts, from live news to comedy, sport and drama. She brings this wealth of pre- and post- publication and broadcast expertise to Mint & Co. Kirsty's specialisms include libel, privacy, copyright, trade marks, passing off, contempt and data protection, as well as the relevant regulatory codes and the criminal and civil laws affecting all broadcasters and publishers
Job Titles:
- Business Affairs Consultant
Laura has over 10 years direct in-house and consultancy experience with a wide range of production companies. Following a training contract with Bond Pearce LLP, Laura joined Twofour Group as in-house solicitor, working on a vast array of ob-docs, factual and factual entertainment and scripted programmes including award winning shows such as This Time Next Year, Educating Yorkshire and The Real Marigold Hotel and Motherland.
In 2017 Laura made the decision to go freelance, recognising a need, particularly in the South-West of England where she is based, for smaller production companies to have access to business affairs expertise. Laura enjoys working across the entire production process including development, commissions, compliance, licensing, and everything in-between. She has been fortunate to work on commissions for a wide range of broadcasters and platforms including Discovery, Vice, Disney, Blue Ant and Netflix, as well as UK broadcasters.
Job Titles:
- Business Affairs Consultant
- Senior Leader
Luci is a commercially minded senior leader in international content and is highly skilled in areas including IP strategy, branded entertainment, international distribution, IP investment, deficit financing and agency financing models, podcasts, rights management, B2B marketing and PR. She is a contributor to TBI magazine and regularly speaks at industry trade events. With 15+ year's experience, Luci has a deep knowledge of the format and programme distribution market having worked at IMG, DRG, Banijay and Content FilmTV in acquisitions, sales & development roles before moving to Dentsu. At Dentsu, Luci was responsible for IP investment across scripted, non-scripted video and audio, oversaw distribution, marketing, business affairs and operations globally. Luci set up as an independent consultant to harness her skills across the industry to support producers, media owners and brands, and most recently has been working on investment, distribution strategy, AVOD/FAST exploitation strategy, rights exploitation strategy and branded entertainment.
Lynne worked in theatre before moving into television production 12 years ago in London working on programmes such as Big Brother, The Apprentice and Celebrity Juice. She has worked on new commissions (The Hit List), revivals (Ready Steady Cook) and long running series (Location Location Location, Eggheads). Her focus has been on casting quiz, game and factual entertainment formats as well as story producing. She was Story Producer for A Country Life for Half the Price which won the Features category at the 2020 Scottish BAFTAs. Lynne is committed to promoting Arts in Education. For a number of years she was Festival Producer for the Aberdeen International Youth Festival; a major international cultural event bringing young people together from across the globe.
Job Titles:
- Commissioning Editor at BBC
Muslim has been with the BBC for 21 years producing award-winning content across Radio, TV and Digital. Starting as a Researcher in Ents he went on to produce programmes for BBC Radio 1 and was the co-creator of digital youth brand BBC The Social where he commissioned multi-genre content including partnerships with News, a YouTube drama set in Edinburgh and a slew of viral hits across a social media portfolio.
He joined the BBC Daytime commissioning team 6 years ago and looks after some of the department's longstanding titles including ‘Homes Under The Hammer' and ‘Antiques Road Trip' alongside new commissions such as ‘The Travelling Auctioneers' and ‘Clive Myrie's Italian Road Trip' - he is also Nations lead for BBC Daytime in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Alongside his day-to-day role as Commissioning Editor, Muslim is keen on discovering how evolving audience behaviours and new technologies can transform the landscape of content conception, production and distribution
Job Titles:
- Managing Director of Boom Cymru
- Managing Director of Cardiff
Nia Thomas is Managing Director of Cardiff based Boom, one of Wales's largest, indigenous production groups. Employing c.180 staff and producing c.400 hours of multi-genre content per annum, the Boom group of companies is part of ITV Studios and operates in a variety of sectors, including production (Boom, Boom Kids and Oxford Scientific Films), post-production facilities (Gorilla) and visual effects (Bait Studio).
Nia is responsible for overseeing Boom group's multidisciplinary operations and her production experience spans a variety of genres, including children's, entertainment, factual, music and events. She is a board member of TAC, the membership body representing independent production companies in Wales, and Screen Alliance Wales, the not-for-profit organisation that promotes the talent, crew and services of the Welsh film and TV industry. She also sits on the steering boards of Factual Fastrack Wales and Clwstwr Creadigol (The Creative Industries Clusters Programme).
Norma brings over twenty years of television production experience to her role as COO at Leeds based, True North. Having come from Channel 4's Indie Growth Fund where she invested in a successful portfolio of companies, Norma now works closely with True North's Creative Directors to steer the company through its next phase of growth.
Before Channel 4, Norma was Finance Director at international television production company, Optomen Television, where she helped grow the business and sell it to All3Media. Her career in the UK began at Talkback Productions (Fremantlemedia). She is originally from South Africa and is a CIMA qualified accountant.
Job Titles:
- Business Affairs Consultant
- in - House Business Affairs Advisor at the BBC
After completing the LPC and an LLM in Entertainment and Media Law, Sarah became an in-house business affairs advisor at the BBC. She enjoyed roles at ITV and BBC Worldwide before moving to entertainment specialists, Princess Productions where she spent 7 brilliant years in the business affairs team, becoming Head of Legal and Business Affairs.
She now works as a freelance Business Affairs Consultant, specialising in development, production and exploitation across all genres (scripted & non-scripted) for UK based independent producers.
Theresa's background is in arts and marketing. She studied Environmental Art at Glasgow School of Art before graduating with a BA (Hons) in Fine Art. After graduating she worked in arts education and contemporary art galleries for a number of years where she became more involved in marketing communications. She gained a place at Strathclyde University to complete an MSc Marketing and then embarked on an extensive career as an Account Manager. She has over 12 years' experience of working at some the UK's leading design and marketing agencies where she managed a broad range of private and public sector clients such as RBS, The Department of Health and Orange to name a few. She has coordinated and delivered complex graphic design projects across multi-platform channels including branding, retail, annual reports and marketing communications. In recent years she has been bringing up two children whilst working part time in education and research.
TRC Shorts is our range of individual, interactive training sessions hosted over Zoom.