GLASGOW-based indie, Firecrest Films, has made two senior appointments in the wake of their investment by the Channel 4 Indie Growth Fund.
Iain Scollay and Mark Roberts are joining as joint creative directors to grow the indie and expand into new genres with programming for a wider range of broadcasters.
The pair have worked closely together for three years in their previous roles at Mentorn, including jointly exec-producing Channel 4’s The Jihadis Next Door, which is nominated in next week’s Broadcast Awards.
Last week, it was announced that Firecrest became the first company outside of England to be backed by the Channel 4 Growth Fund.
At the time, Nicole Kleeman, managing director of Firecrest, said that the investment would allow her to make a number of senior appointments and expand the range of genres in which Firecrest operates.
Nicole added: “Iain and Mark are two executives with formidable reputations both in terms of programme-making and in their creative vision. To have them directing the growth of Firecrest Films is a privilege and myself and the team here are looking forward to expanding into new territory.”
Scollay who was creative director of Mentorn Scotland and head of Documentaries for Mentorn Media, executive produced Saddam Goes to Hollywood for Channel 4 Specialist Factual, Alan Johnson: The Post Office and Me for BBC Four, the returning series How Scotland Works for BBC Scotland and masterminded the re-launch of Traffic Cops for Guy Davies at Channel 5.
Prior to Scollay’s arrival at Mentorn in 2013 he was one of the founders of Scottish independent, Matchlight.
Before that he was an award-winning director working with a range of talent as diverse as John Humphrys and Russell Brand with credits for all the major UK broadcasters.
Scollay said: “On my most recent projects I’ve been lucky enough to work with brilliant commissioners at the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5. As Firecrest expands and diversifies, I look forward to collaborating once more with them.”
Roberts who was creative director of Mentorn Media, makers of Question Time for BBC One, Robot Wars for BBC Two, oversaw a portfolio of programmes including, Free Speech for BBC Three, Chicken Shop for Channel 4, Cats Make You Laugh Out Loud for Channel 5 and critically-acclaimed Angry, White and Proud for Channel 4.
He established a short-form unit within Mentorn which is responsible for a pioneering set of films for BBC Three including: Things You’ve Always Wanted to Ask A Trans Person…but probably shouldn’t and Things People with Down’s Syndrome are Tired of Hearing, which collectively have been watched by more than 25 million people.
Prior to joining Mentorn, Roberts was head of Factual at One Born Every Minute indie, Dragonfly, where his credits included The Family, Terror at Sea; The Sinking of the Costa Concordia and Kill It, Cut It, Use It.
Roberts said: “Firecrest is an exceptional indie, with a first-class team that makes genuinely popular television. As the company grows and diversifies, we will attract the very best talent in all genres – in Glasgow and in London – into the Firecrest fold.”
Notes to editors:
Firecrest Films was set up by Nicole Kleeman in 2008 with an initial focus on current affairs. Run solely by Nicole, the indie has consistently delivered award-winning content for the BBC, Channel 4 and ITN, generating over 40 front page stories, some of which have prompted resignations, arrests and parliamentary questions.
In the last 18 months, Firecrest’s output has grown significantly, expanding into features, documentary and specialist factual.
The indie’s multi-series returning format Supershoppers for Channel 4 won both this year’s BAFTA Scotland and RTS Scotland Awards for the best feature and factual entertainment programme.
Firecrest are currently in production with four series and two single films for the BBC and Channel 4.
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