Film & Media

A Journey in Film & Television Production

In the early 1980s, the UK film and television industry felt like an exclusive club, closed off to someone like me—an immigrant from a working-class background. My passion for filmmaking was ignited in 1982 when I organised a Festival of Black American Films in London. Watching these films and hearing the struggles of the filmmakers to tell their stories fuelled my imagination. I took my first steps into this world in 1986, and over the following two decades, I’ve produced award-winning films and television, including feature films, dramas, and documentaries. My career has allowed me to work with major networks like the BBC, ITV, Channel Four, numerous international channels, and my independent production company, Formation Films.

BBC Productions

My career began with the BBC, where I worked as a researcher on a weekly arts magazine programme and the award-winning ‘Artist in Exile documentary series in the Music and Arts Department. I honed my research and storytelling skills, and it was here that I discovered my passion for telling stories and producing. As a series producer at the BBC, I brought to life two acclaimed drama and documentary series, Developing Stories, directed by filmmakers from the global South and focused on themes of People, Population and Migration, and Environment & Development. The series was winner of 26 international awards and broadcast in 98 countries. For Our War, I travelled to Algeria and Iran to produce the series with filmmakers from the Middle East during the 1991 Gulf War.

Formation Films Limited

Recognising that the opportunity to develop my producing skills was in the independent sector, in 1987, I founded Formation Films, my independent film production company, with writer-director Julian Henriques. For over two decades, I researched stories, generated ideas and assembled teams to produce a wide range of documentary films commissioned by Channel 4 Television and international broadcasters. Among my most notable achievements was producing the feature film ‘Babymother (1998), a reggae musical set in West London. The film, written and directed by Julian Henriques, tells the story of Anita, a young single mother who dreams of becoming a reggae singer. It was praised for its energetic soundtrack and authentic portrayal of Caribbean culture. Babymother, produced with funding from Channel 4 and Arts Council England, was released in the UK and the Caribbean and later in the USA, receiving widespread acclaim.

For a complete list of my films, please click Here.

ITV Carlton Television

In 2000, I transitioned to commercial television as the Producer and Cultural Diversity Advisor at Carlton Television. There, I spearheaded a campaign to reflect, represent, employ and develop ethnic talent on and behind the screen in British film and television. This initiative led to the formation of the Cultural Diversity Network, an alliance of UK broadcasters and the film industry committed to increasing the range and diversity of talent on and behind the screen. Additionally, I developed and produced programmes such as Single Voices, which featured comedy monologues by prominent writers and performers from diverse backgrounds, and the Carlton Multicultural Achievement Awards.

Film & Media Finance

In 2006, I joined Ingenious Media Investments as the Manager of Ingenious World Cinema Fund, an equity fund dedicated to investing in cross-cultural films from emerging markets. Setting up and managing this fund was akin to undertaking an MBA, allowing me to build a diverse network of contacts, including bankers, accountants, lawyers, international sales and distribution companies, and seasoned international producers. This role represented a significant transition from my previous work as a creative film producer to adopting an investor’s perspective. During my tenure from 2006 to 2008, I sourced single film projects and structured and negotiated the financing of two international film slates valued at £40 million. I also introduced a new investor base that regarded films as a viable asset class to the company. My experience at Ingenious Media was invaluable, as I learned an entirely new industry language and frequently stepped out of my comfort zone.

In 2008, I leveraged this knowledge as a non-executive director at the Goldcrest Films EIS Fund. There, I advised on the investment of a £22 million capital film fund in high-profile projects, including the Oscar-winning The Iron Lady, the award-winning Wuthering Heights, and Now is Good and a P&A deal with Lions Gate for distribution. I also used this knowledge and experience to support the African Media and Entertainment industry, producing film and media finance workshops in Kenya and Nigeria. These workshops enabled content producers, media business owners, banks, and government agencies to understand the investment approach to film and television.

Creative Industries & Film Policy

As the founding Board Director of the UK Film Council (1999 to 2005), I had the opportunity to help shape international strategies, including forging new co-production treaties with India, South Africa, Morocco, and China. I also ensured that equality and diversity commitments were fully integrated into the organisation’s activities. As a Non-Executive Director at the UK Department of Culture Media and Sports, (2006-2010), I made significant contributions to the department’s overall strategy, policy, and effective management of key programme areas such as the Creative Economy, Philanthropy, and International Initiatives, drawing on my work in emerging markets. As the Chair of the Diversity Board at DCMS, I provided strategic oversight and direction for the Equality and Diversity Policy, ensuring its integration into departmental decision-making processes and supporting its implementation across DCMS and its sectors.

I hope my legacy inspires and paves the way for future filmmakers. Today, I find fulfilment in mentoring young filmmakers to help them realise their production dreams.