Class of 2007
Theatre, Film & Television
Country: United Kingdom
Job:
Creative Director, Development
Company:
IF YOU STUDIED YOUR UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMME AT YORK ST JOHN UNIVERSITY OR FOUNDER COLLEGES, DID YOU GO ON TO POSTGRADAUTE STUDY?
No.
WHY HAVE YOU CHOSEN THIS PHOTO AS YOUR YSJ SNAPSHOT?
This is my most recent headshot since leaving a long career in London, to relocate back home to Yorkshire – where I’m continuing my career in television and content. It represents a long journey home! I’d be far too embarrassed to share a snapshot from my time at YSJ…
WHY WOULD YOU RECOMMEND YSJ TO SOMEONE?
YSJ struck the perfect balance of somewhere that felt new and exciting, with all the qualities of home.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YORK ST JOHN UNIVERSITY OR FOUNDER COLLEGES?
As a born and bred Yorkshireman I never wanted to travel too far from home – York felt exciting, full of energy and things to do, but also familiar.
WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING SINCE COMPLETING YOUR STUDIES?
I am a Creative Director and Executive Producer in Television who specialises in building unscripted format slates from the ground up. I began my career with work experience, organised through YSJ, at a production company in Leeds – before heading to London as an intern on Endemol’s Brightbulb scheme. From there I joined the BBC’s in-house Entertainment department, where I rose to Head of Development.
In 2018, I returned to EndemolShine to launch the unscripted label Definitely, setting its creative strategy before becoming Creative Director across Banijay’s RDF, Fizz and Definitely. There, I rebuilt and reimagined back-catalogue IP of well-known global formats.
In February 2023, I joined James Corden’s Fulwell Entertainment as Creative Director, focusing on originating new and returning global formats. After relocating back to the North of England, I became Creative Director of Development at Channel 4-backed Manchester indie Salamanda Media, before recently joining the international production company Whisper as a Creative Director in their Northern office.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR SPECIFIC COURSE?
I always wanted to work in TV from being 10 years old, and the course offered the perfect scope and opportunity to set me off on my career path.
WHAT WERE THE BEST FEATURES OF YOUR COURSE?
The people, the people, and absolutely the people – and I include the YSJ team as well as my fellow students.
HOW DID STUDYING AT YSJ HELP IN YOUR CAREER SEARCH/SUCCESS/CURRENT ROLE?
YSJ gave me the opportunity to gain work experience in Yorkshire which then provided the launchpad for my career.
WHAT ONE PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A CURRENT STUDENT, OR ONE ABOUT TO GRADUATE?
Don’t be afraid to push and hustle – but only with charm and manners!