Best Startup
At Best Startup UK we track over 130,000 UK startups and over 500,000 people who hold key positions in these companies. We use this directory of startups to highlight top employees, founders and board members we think deserve more appreciation than they are currently getting.
This list showcases the top United Kingdom based Director operating in the Film space. If you think a Director is missing from this list, feel free to contact our editor on editor@beststartup.co.uk.
The individuals on this list have been included because of exceptional performance in one of the following categories:
- Innovation – Operating as a key part in an extremely innovative business or startup.
- Growth – Operating as a key figure in the growth and upscale of a market leading business or startup.
- Management – Showing exceptional management skills.
- Societal impact – Putting their business on the map for their positive societal or environmental impact.
Our Data – We source our data from OSINT (open source intelligence) and public directories such as Companies House UK, Crunchbase, SemRush and many more. The data from these sources should be treated with a degree of caution and verified yourself.
Richard Nockles
Creative Director | Sky VR of Sky UK
Richard Nockles has been at the cutting edge of 360º & VR innovation over the last 4 years. His company ‘Surround Vision’ in London produce award winning 360 projects for broadcasters and Agencies across the wide range of devices on the market.
Follow Richard Nockles:
About Sky UK, Surround Vision: Sky is an entertainment company, serving 22 million customers across satellite, OTT, and broadband in five countries.
_______
Stuart Murphy
Director of Entertainment of Sky UK
Stuart Murphy has been Director, Sky Entertainment Channels since 2013, with overall responsibility for Sky1, Sky Living, Sky Atlantic, Sky Arts, Challenge and Pick TV, as well as the commissioning teams in Comedy, Drama, Factual and Entertainment. He is a board member of Jaunt, a tech start up in San Francisco. Stuart joined Sky as Director of Programmes, Sky1 in May 2009. He reduced the number of shows on Sky1 by a third, increased the cost per hour and as a result improved peak ratings in the first 12 months by 37%. He moved the channel in favour of commissions over US shows, and Sky1 now commissions more hours of drama than Channel4. Sky1 hits included Got To Dance (which sold to 8 territories including CBS), An Idiot Abroad (now in 37 territories and the third highest rating show on Sky1 in 20 years), BAFTA winning A League Of Their Own (in season 8), Stella (the highest rating UK comedy in Pay TV and BAFTA nominated), Mad Dogs (BAFTA nominated), Pineapple Dance Studios (BAFTA nominated), Moone Boy (winner of an International Emmy Award and 3 IFTA’s) and Modern Family. Strike Back, An Idiot Abroad and Treasure Island were the first Sky originations to be nominated for Emmy’s. In 2011 Sky1 won Channel of the Year for the first time ever. In September 2010 he was made Director of Commissioning, responsible for originations across the Sky wholly owned channel portfolio. In February 2011 he launched Sky Atlantic, the result of a multi year exclusive output deal between Sky and HBO. He commissioned Hunderby (winner 2 British Comedy Awards and BAFTA nominated), Paul Abbott drama Hit + Miss starring Chloe Sevigny, and Steve Coogan’s Places Of My Life (BAFTA winning). Within a year Sky Atlantic became responsible for 15% of all new subscribers joining Sky. In April 2012, he was appointed Director, Entertainment Channels. In this period, Sky Living comedy Doll and Em became the first Sky show ever to be sold to HBO, A Touch of Cloth won Best Comedy at the Broadcast Awards, A Young Doctor’s Notebook Best Multichannel Programme and An Act of Killing won a BAFTA Film Award as well as being nominated for an Oscar, David Attenborough’s Natural History Museum Alive won a BAFTA and The Green Prince doc opened Sundance. Previous roles Stuart has held include Creative Director at Twofour Productions; Creative Director at RDF and the first Controller of BBC Three, commissioning Little Britain, Gavin and Stacey, Torchwood, Nighty Night, Bodies and parenting shows. Under his Controllership, BBC Three won Broadcast and MGEITF Channel of the Year. Before then he ran BBC Choice, UK Play and worked on shows such as The Sunday Show, Great Railway Journeys, The Big Breakfast and Reportage. He went to school in Leeds, studied Geography at Clare College, Cambridge, has two sons, and boxes.
Follow Stuart Murphy:
About Sky UK: Sky is an entertainment company, serving 22 million customers across satellite, OTT, and broadband in five countries.
Gary Davey
Managing Director of Content of Sky UK
Gary was appointed Managing Director, Content in January 2015. In this role, he has responsibility for Sky’s entertainment, movies and news channels in the UK and Ireland as well as the entire entertainment offering of Sky Deutschland where he has been Executive Vice President Programming since 2011. For the majority of his career, Gary has worked as a senior executive in the international pay TV industry holding senior roles in Europe, Asia and the US. Before joining Sky Deutschland in June 2010, Gary held a senior role at Sky Italia, where he was responsible for launching its terrestrial TV network, cielo. He has also worked as Managing Director of BSkyB in England and CEO of STAR TV in Hong Kong among his other roles.
Follow Gary Davey:
About Sky UK: Sky is an entertainment company, serving 22 million customers across satellite, OTT, and broadband in five countries.
Julian Przygrodzki
Marketing Director of Sky UK
Follow Julian Przygrodzki:
About Sky UK: Sky is an entertainment company, serving 22 million customers across satellite, OTT, and broadband in five countries.
Nicholas Marcq
Director of Latimer Group
Founding Director Latimer Films ltd
Follow Nicholas Marcq:
About Latimer Group: Latimer works with the best in youth talent to produce cutting edge film and digital media.
Alison Turner
Director, Operations & Infrastructure of Framestore
Follow Alison Turner:
About Framestore: Framestore is a creative studio that offers production, pre-production, and post-production services for its users.
Sharon Reed
Co-Founder & Director of Framestore
Follow Sharon Reed:
About Framestore: Framestore is a creative studio that offers production, pre-production, and post-production services for its users.
Merlin Crossingham
Creative Director of Wallace & Gromit of Aardman Animations
Merlin Crossingham is Creative Director of Wallace & Gromit at Aardman Animations.
Follow Merlin Crossingham:
About Aardman Animations: Aardman has a deserved reputation as a world leader in model animation. Peter Lord and David Sproxton began their animating partnership at
Daniel Efergan
Executive Creative Director of Aardman Animations
Follow Daniel Efergan:
About Aardman Animations, MIPCOM: Aardman has a deserved reputation as a world leader in model animation. Peter Lord and David Sproxton began their animating partnership at
Peter Lord
Director of Aardman Animations
Follow Peter Lord:
About Aardman Animations: Aardman has a deserved reputation as a world leader in model animation. Peter Lord and David Sproxton began their animating partnership at
Asa Lucander
Animation Director of Aardman Animations
Asa Lucander is Animation Director at Aardman Animations.
Follow Asa Lucander:
About Aardman Animations: Aardman has a deserved reputation as a world leader in model animation. Peter Lord and David Sproxton began their animating partnership at
David Howlett
Marketing Director of ICP
Now working at ICP as Marketing Director. David is an experienced Board level Marketing and Business Development Director having worked in many industry sectors, recently in a business to business environment within professional services companies, but with high levels of understanding of the business to consumer context and within a wide range of market sectors. Specific functions that David has managed include marketing, communications, business development, market research, insight, branding, strategy development and general management within SMEs and large corporates. He has also had experience of setting up new ventures within existing businesses, and of managing a production facility. this has involved managing many teams, large and small, made up of experienced directors and of junior to mid level executives. David has a very strong understanding of finance, in terms of budget management and the setting of key performance indicators in addition to monthly and annual financial performance measurement. Sector experience includes Fast Moving Consumer Goods, food & drink, personal care, household care; paint; packaging; recycling. David has travelled extensively and held international responsibilities in many of roles, including Europe, USA, China, Saudi Arabia. Recently, David has been invited to deliver guest lectures to undergraduates and postgraduates at Oxford Brookes University Business School covering marketing, market research, thought leadership and content marketing themes.
Follow David Howlett:
About ICP: ICP provides digital asset management consulting, advertising production and video services to global clients and brands
Jon Wardle
Director of National Film and Television School
Prior to joining the NFTS in early 2012, Jon was Director of the Centre for Excellence in Media Practice, the only HEFCE Centre for Excellence for teaching and learning in the media area in the UK. In his role at Bournemouth University Jon was responsible for Bournemouth’s continuing professional development activity at masters level establishing postgraduate partnerships with the BBC, Guardian and Sony Computers Entertainment Europe. Jon also wrote the Creative Skillset ‘Build Your Own MA’ framework. Jon was NFTS Deputy Director & Director of Curriculum & Registrar from 2012 -2017. He was responsible for all educational matters at the NFTS including curriculum development, quality assurance, education enhancement and registry. Jon was appointed Director of the School in August 2017. Since joining the NFTS Jon has developed a number of new courses working in partnership with organisations including Sky, Channel 4, Discovery Networks International, the BBC and Aardman. Jon leads the annual BFI Film Academy, a ‘talent campus’ for 66 of the most talented 16-19 year old filmmakers in the UK. Jon is the author of a number of papers and book chapters on media education as well as co-editor of the book ‘Current Perspectives in Media Education’. Jon is on the editorial board of the Media Education Research Journal, is an executive officer of the Media Education Association and Nahemi, is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and the National Association of Television Production Executives (NATPE), an associate member of BAFTA and an advisor on education to the Royal Television Society. He has a BA (Hons) in Television Production from Bournemouth University, an MBA from the University of Southampton and a Doctorate of Education from the University of Bristol.
Follow Jon Wardle:
About National Film and Television School: Educating the best creative talent to the highest professional standard for tomorrow’s screen industries.
Trevor Hall
Finance Director of National Film and Television School
Follow Trevor Hall:
About National Film and Television School: Educating the best creative talent to the highest professional standard for tomorrow’s screen industries.
Simon Windsor
Founder, Joint Managing Director of Dimension
Simon has been at the forefront of immersive technologies since 2011, launching several successful companies in AR and VR, and bringing state-of-the-art immersive production facilities to the UK. He is joint-head at immersive media company, Hammerhead, and at Dimension, a pioneering volumetric video capture studio and first Microsoft Mixed Reality Capture studio partner, focused on creating next generation virtual humans. Simon is also a director at TimeSlice Films, one of the UK’s leading multi-cam and capture solutions specialists, and prior to this he was part of the management team that launched AR technology platform, String. An award winning AR and VR producer, Simon has inspired and lead projects for companies including Disney, Nike, Sky, Audi, HSBC, Magic Leap and many more, and produced original VR titles including ABE and Syren.
Follow Simon Windsor:
About Dimension: Revolutionary volumetric production studios for the creation of next generation digital humans, XR content and virtual production.
Giovanni Dolci
Vice President, Theatre Development and Managing Director, Europe and Africa of IMAX
Giovanni Dolci joined IMAX Corporation in October 2012 as Vice President, Theatre Development. In January 2017 he was also appointed Managing Director Europe and Africa, where he is responsible for growing and expanding the IMAX theatre network across the two continents. He previously served as Director of Business Development and Commercial Operations at Arts Alliance, where he was in charge of negotiations with cinema exhibitors and film distributors throughout EMEA to support the market’s transition to digital projection technology and where he helped establish a worldwide digital distribution platform. Prior to Arts Alliance, Giovanni Dolci worked in film financing and oversaw a number of projects based in New Zealand, Italy and the UK. He has a degree in Economics and Management from Bocconi University in Milan and an MSc in Management from Cass Business School in London. He is a Junior Fellow of the Aspen Institute Italy.
Follow Giovanni Dolci:
About IMAX: IMAX Corporation is one of the world’s leading entertainment technology companies, specializing in immersive motion picture technologies.
Malcolm MacMillan
Managing Director (UK) of The Boxoffice Company
Follow Malcolm MacMillan:
About The Boxoffice Company, The Boxoffice Company: The Boxoffice Company provides media, technology, and data for the global film industry.
Gabe Turner
Director of Fulwell 73
Gabe has worked across a multitude of genres, platforms and roles within the TV, Film and Advertising Industries, and is responsible for some of the most engaging and shared content in the world. He co-founded Fulwell73 with his brother Ben Turner, cousin Leo Pearlman and oldest friend Ben Winston. His career started with the critically acclaimed feature doc ‘In The Hands of the Gods’ (Lionsgate), which he co-directed with his brother Ben, before they went on to make ‘The Class of 92’ for Universal, which became the fastest selling sports documentary of all time. In 2014, Gabe directed his first feature ‘The Guvnors’, which won two National Film Awards, and he is currently shooting a new documentary with Usain Bolt, set for global release. His work includes commercials for numerous global brands such as Apple, Samsung, Nissan, Honda, Audeamars Piguet and Sony, music videos for Demi Lovato, Olly Murs and One Direction, including ‘Steal My Girl’ and ‘Drag Me Down’, which went on to win this year’s ‘Best British Artist Video’ at the Brits. In addition to his directing, producing and writing credits, Gabe has also Exec Produced numerous TV shows, including Jack Whitehall’s ‘Feeling Nuts Comedy Night’ (C4), involving a cancer awareness campaign that reached almost 800 million people. In 2015 he went over to the U.S to develop the ‘Late Late Show’ with Ben Winston and the show’s host, James Corden. He directed the pilot for the Internet sensation, ‘Carpool Karaoke’, with James Corden and singing superstar, Mariah Carey.
Follow Gabe Turner:
About Fulwell 73: Fulwell 73 is a television, film and music production company
Lesley Marr
Director Of Operations of Molinare
Lesley Marr is Director of Operations at Molinare; Molinare is the UK’s leading supplier of post production for episodic drama, feature film, factual and 4K, UHD & HDR productions. Prior to joining Molinare Lesley was COO for Deluxe Media Europe, overseeing the day to day operation delivering to UK Broadcasters and global platforms. During her acreer Lesley has managed transformation programmes, senior client relationships, operational excellence projects developing media logistics, scheduling and MAM tools and managed teams across multi-site UK operations. Lesley has also held several senior management positions in Broadcast Operations at Sky & Technicolor. Her career path, however, started in the creative post production world working as an editor before learning the skills of a VFX artist where she worked for leading global facilities before moving into the world of Operations Management. In addition to her day job Lesley has, for several years, sat on the board of the UK Screen Association and is also a member of the IBC conference committee business stream, chairing and producing conference sessions.
Follow Lesley Marr:
About Molinare: High-end broadcast and feature post production
Glen Gathard
Creative Director of Molinare
Follow Glen Gathard:
About Molinare: High-end broadcast and feature post production
Dee Harvey
Founder & Director of Controvert
Over 20 years experience in interactive media production at the highest level, and a graduate of NYU.
Follow Dee Harvey:
About Controvert: Controvert creates and develops media content using immersive technology.
Brian Cuttler
Operations Director of Compact Media Group
Follow Brian Cuttler:
About Compact Media Group: Compact Media Group is a full-service intellectual property rights management company distributing royalties for TV, film and music.
Ranzie Anthony
Partner – Executive Creative Director of Athlon
Follow Ranzie Anthony:
About Athlon: Athlon helps global brands create products and services that build meaningful human connections and drive business success.
Matthew Newcombe
Technical Director of Nexus Studios
Follow Matthew Newcombe:
About Nexus Studios: Nexus Studios is an independent production company, interactive arts and animation studio.
Sarah Broadbent
HR Director & Assistant Producer of Orillo Films
Follow Sarah Broadbent:
About Orillo Films: Orillo Films is a fully-inclusive production company based in both York and London.
Jordan Clarke
DOP, Company Director and Head of Production of Orillo Films
Follow Jordan Clarke:
About Orillo Films: Orillo Films is a fully-inclusive production company based in both York and London.
John Coles
Director of Vidius Productions
Follow John Coles:
About Vidius Productions: Vidius Productions provides live streaming and video production for meetings, events, councils, and houses of worship.
Mark Stephen
Director of Sales of Unique Digital Cinema
Follow Mark Stephen:
About Unique Digital Cinema: Unique Digital has supplied software solutions for major cinema chains, integrators, and advertising customers around the globe.
Tom Ward
Managing Director of SANDSTORM FILMS
Tom founded Sandstorm; one of the first end-to-end, direct-to-brand content production companies in 2000; after working in London with creative agencies, production companies and post-houses for a number of years. He saw the opportunity to merge all three together in order to provide a more cost and time efficient facility for creating advertising content. His vision was based on the idea that brands would need unified content for a lot more channels imminently and the technology to create this was fast becoming more affordable. Though it wasn’t until the recession of 2007 that the ethos that formed Sandstorm became easier to appreciate. Communication platforms for brands were rapidly growing and budgets suddenly shrank. Quantifiable ROI combined with brand value would become the primary focus leaving the traditional agency model struggling to deliver. Today you will see many agencies and production companies trying to offer the same service, but none have the experience and have invested quite as much in their team and facilities as Tom has. He is still fully focused on delivering transparency and efficiency, consistently looking to future proof all work and make the life of Sandstorm’s clients easier.
Follow Tom Ward:
About SANDSTORM FILMS: Our Sandstorm Film Production Company offers professional camera crews, videographers & other production services
William McMaster
Technical Director of Occupied VR
Follow William McMaster:
About Occupied VR: The Occupied collective has been organically forming for the past year within the emerging VR community in Toronto, Canada.
Ben Rogers
Producer and Director of Potential Productions
Follow Ben Rogers:
About Potential Productions, Storemates: Potential Productions is a media company that specializes in films, design, and branding for charities and social enterprises.
Linda Howell
Director & Co-Founder of iMetaFilm
Follow Linda Howell:
About iMetaFilm: iMetaFilm will create a new industry sector which will digitise the world’s film heritage.
Alex Diaz
Creative Director of Flying Tiger Productions
Alex Diaz is the creative director of Flying Tiger Productions
Follow Alex Diaz:
About Flying Tiger Productions: Video and Film production
Aaron Wood
Managing Director & Producer of Slurpy Studios
Follow Aaron Wood:
About Slurpy Studios: Slurpy Studios offers a complete range of in-house facilities to take a project from concept to delivery.
Aaron Wood
Managing Director & Producer of Slurpy Studios
Follow Aaron Wood:
About Slurpy Studios: Slurpy Studios offers a complete range of in-house facilities to take a project from concept to delivery.
