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2025 Speakers

Chief Executive Officer
Left Bank Pictures

Andy Harries is Chief Executive and co-founder of Left Bank Pictures, a multi award-winning UK-based film and television production company. The company was established in 2007 with a majority stake acquired by Sony in 2012. At Left Bank Pictures, Harries has Executive produced a huge range of TV and film including six seasons of The Crown, Department Q, This City is Ours, Quiz, Behind Her Eyes, Outlander, Without Sin, Three Pines, The Fear Index, White Lines, Wallander, Mad Dogs, Strike Back, Sitting In Limbo, Who Is Erin Carter? and Everything Now, and the feature films The Damned United, Misbehaviour and The Lady. Forthcoming productions include the television adaptation of the Olivier Award winning play Dear England and second series of Department Q and This City is Ours.

Amongst numerous Emmy, BAFTA, Golden Globe and RTS awards for Left Bank Pictures’ output, The Crown, has won 21 Emmys including Netflix’s first ever Emmy for Best Drama Series.

Prior to establishing Left Bank Pictures, Harries was Controller of Drama, Comedy and Film for Granada Productions. During this period, he produced countless British classics including The Deal, Prime Suspect, Cold Feet and The Royle Family, winning Golden Globes, Emmys and BAFTAs and receiving an Academy Award nomination as a producer of The Queen, which saw a run of six Academy Award nominations. In 2007, Andy was awarded the Special Achievement award by BAFTA, and in May 2011, he was made a Fellow of the Royal Television Society for outstanding contribution to the broadcasting industry. In 2019, Harries was appointed Officer of the British Empire (OBE) for services to film and television.

Harries is also a theatre producer whose credits include the Tony and Olivier Award-winning play The Audience, written by Peter Morgan, directed by Stephen Daldry and starring both Helen Mirren and Kristin Scott Thomas.

Annabelle Canwell

VP Brand Partnerships
Disney Advertising

Annabelle leads the brand partnerships group for Disney Advertising EMEA, bringing opportunities for brands to partner with Disney+ and the Disney Digital Network across subscriptions, promotions, sponsorship and branded entertainment.

Annabelle joined The Walt Disney Company, following the acquisition of 21st Century Fox after a 15 year tenure in which she held roles looking after brand partnerships for the FOX, FOX Sports, Sky and National Geographic brands in EMEA and Global. Prior to 21st Century Fox, Annabelle worked at Bloomberg Media, in partnerships and ad sales for their media portfolio in EMEA.

Ben Pengilly

Founder & Producer
Onset Octopus

Ben Pengilly is a bilingual, award-winning producer with over a decade of experience in commercials, music videos, and feature films. Now at the forefront of the UK vertical drama industry, Ben has successfully produced hit vertical mini-series such as Mafia Lover and The Mafia Obsession, both of which have been released on Dramabox to critical acclaim.
A true enthusiast of vertical storytelling, Ben is committed to leading the UK's charge in this emerging format. His deep production expertise and understanding of vertical content allow him to deliver high-quality dramas efficiently and cost-effectively, making premium storytelling accessible and impactful.

Bhav Chandrani

Director
BE Studio

Bhav Chandrani is Director of BE Studio, from ITV, heading up sponsorship, AFE (ad funded entertainment), creative partnerships, social branded content and partnerships innovation for ITV's Commercial team.

With over 25 years in the industry, Bhav's passion is in creatively bringing together the worlds of programming and advertising to make meaningful, entertaining campaigns for brands and viewers. Bhav leads ITV's commercial relationship with other media brands such as X, Global Radio and TikTok.

Bhav is a founding member of the diversity network MeFA (Media For All) and Board Director of Metavision.

Cathy Payne

Chief Executive Officer
Banijay Rights

Cathy Payne serves as Chief Executive of Banijay Rights, setting and executing the business’ global distribution strategy for Banijay Entertainment’s burgeoning catalogue of 205,000+ hours, which includes landmark brands, Survivor, Big Brother, MasterChef, Peaky Blinders, Black Mirror, and many more.

Previously, she was Chief Executive of Endemol Shine International, where she directed all worldwide distribution efforts, as well as working closely with the commercial team on IP exploitation.

Prior to this, Payne was Chief Executive at Southern Star International, which was acquired by Endemol in 2009.

Chris Holdom

Head of Commercial Partnerships
Banijay UK

As Head of Commercial Partnerships at Banijay UK, Chris leads on driving brand-funded entertainment across both iconic titles and original formats - from Big Brother, Sunday Brunch, Secret Life of 4 Year Olds and Changing Rooms to new IP developed in collaboration with brands. He’s delivered standout partnerships with Samsung, Dulux, Vinted, E.ON Next and Age UK. With a 360° background spanning media agencies, broadcasters and production, Chris specialises in entertainment-first ideas that generate commercial value across the full content ecosystem.

Claire Prince

Head of Branded Entertainment
WPP Media

An award-winning leader in branded entertainment, shaping culture-defining content for brands like Nike, Barclaycard, TUI & eBay. As Head of Branded Entertainment at EssenceMediacom UK, I create bold, attention-grabbing campaigns that captivate mainstream audiences and drive cultural conversation—earning recognition at Campaign Media Week, Broadcast Digital Awards, and the Global Festival of Media.

Clare Thompson

Non-Exec Director
K7 Media

Clare Thompson is lead trainer and producer of Indielab's UK TV Accelerator programme, hosting high-level briefings and panels with top industry leaders, and running bespoke masterclasses and seminars on areas from business strategy to the international TV export market, all to help indies prepare for growth and investment. She also writes and presents on global non-scripted trends and branded entertainment for research consultancy K7 Media, informing their broadcast and production clients worldwide on the latest market insights. Having spent her earlier career running entertainment development and innovation teams at ITV, the last decade has seen her help TV companies big and small to hone their ideas and creative strategy, running development and pitching workshops, team training sessions and channel commissioning projects.

Dan McGolpin

Director
BBC iPlayer & Channels

Dan McGolpin is the BBC’s Director of iPlayer and Channels, leading the strategic direction, operations, and finances for BBC iPlayer and the corporation’s TV channel portfolio (BBC One, Two, Three, and Four). He directly oversees acquisitions, youth and digital commissioning as well as Chairing the BBC's TV Management Committee.

Since taking on his current role in April 2021, Dan has led the transformation of the various teams working to him, aligning the BBC’s streaming and broadcast strategies to drive iPlayer growth whilst maintaining strong, audience-focused channels. He was instrumental to the redesign of the BBC's TV commissioning system in 2021 and has continued to work closely with each of the commissioning teams to deliver a steady stream of high-impact programmes across all genres. Since the start of 2024, BBC iPlayer has been the fastest growing longform streaming service in the UK.

Daniel Korn

VP Programming
Hearst Networks EMEA

As Vice-President of Programming for Hearst Networks EMEA, Korn leads a team responsible for sourcing 2000 hours of content a year, for Sky History, Sky History2, Crime+Investigation and Blaze.

Recent original commissions on Sky History include Mafia and Britain with Ross Kemp, Bradley Walsh on Egypt’s Cosmic Code, The Tattooist’s Son: Journey to Auschwitz, KURSK: 10 Days That Shaped Putin, and Jack the Ripper: Written in Blood. And for Crime+Investigation, The Eunuch Maker, Cops Gone Bad with Will Mellor and the forthcoming Laura Whitmore on Britain’s Killer Teens.

Prior to joining A+E Networks, Dan spent 10 years as Senior Vice President and Head of Programming at Discovery Channel EMEA, prior to which he was a BAFTA-award winning producer and Managing Director of the production company 3BM Television, bought by Bob Geldof for the Ten Alps Media group in 2005.

Derren Lawford

Founder & CEO
DARE Pictures

During a career spanning over 25 years Derren has helped to launch 2 UK TV channels, two production divisions and the first Black national radio station in the UK and was part of the team behind the BAFTA award-winning film, THE BLACK COP.

Prior to DARE Pictures, he was Creative Director at Woodcut Media where he played a pivotal role in the creation of over 300 hours of TV and executive produced a trio of documentaries that sold to Netflix – the BFI funded feature documentary GENERATION REVOLUTION, as well as MANDELA, MY DAD AND ME and CUT FROM A DIFFERENT CLOTH, both co-produced with Idris Elba. Further notable EP credits include FIENNES: RETURN TO THE NILE a 3-part commission for National Geographic featuring Joseph Fiennes and Sir Ranulph Fiennes.

Derren entered the industry as a trained journalist before helping to launch youth TV channel, whereits.at and then joining the BBC where he worked for over 10 years. There he helped to launch radio station 1Xtra, SVOD service BBC Global iPlayer, secured a number of BBC Three documentary commissions. He was also heralded as a short form documentary pioneer advising a then unknown YouTuber, Jamal Edwards and working with Ashley Walters and Daniel Kaluuya among others in the ground-breaking series, JAIL TALES. During this period he also became the first Multiplatform Editor for BBC One’s PANORAMA and subsequently the Multiplatform Executive Producer for the award-winning BBC Three series OUR WAR.

He left the BBC to launch a content division with award-winning social enterprise and marketing agency Livity overseeing a range of TV, online and brand funded content for the likes of YouTube, Channel 4, Blackberry and Public Health England. While there, Derren made his debut in Powerlist’s Under 40s before joining the launch team at London Live where he acquired and commissioned documentaries, scripted, non-scripted and music series. As a result, in 2014 Derren was named in the British Interactive Media Association’s Hot 100.

Since launching DARE Pictures in 2022 his credits include FUGITIVE: THE MYSTERY OF THE CRYPTO QUEEN for Channel 4 and Sky Germany and THE SECRETS OF UK PRISONS for Channel 4. During this time he has also executive produced three feature documentaries that have premiered at major festivals, ROADS TO REGENERATION (Hot Docs 2022), DALTON’S DREAM (Sheffield DocFest 2023 and BBC Storyville) and A BIT OF A STRANGER (Berlinale, 2024 and ZDF ARTE).

In February 2025, DARE Pictures was named Emerging Indie of the Year.

Ed Kellie

Executive Producer & Founder
ScreenDog Productions

At ScreenDog Ed has executive produced and has won all our commissions across the genres of premium documentary, volume series, crime, adventure and returnable formats. Highlights are the BAFTA-winning “The Jury: Murder Trial” for Channel 4, BBC rating hit “Stacey Dooley: Stalkers”, Channel 4 experiment, “Smuggled” and extreme UKTV series, “Hurricane Man”.
Prior to this he was a Series Producer and Producer Director in popular factual programmes such as, the Broadcast Award-winning "The Secret Life of 4 Year Olds" (2016), alongside productions such as "The Apprentice" (2011) and the 2010 BAFTA Nominated Series "Mary Queen of Shops".
Building on this momentum, Ed began pitching ideas whilst juggling freelance roles, initially achieving commissioning success with projects like "Wildlife Jack" (Disney, 2015), "Teenage Ice Trekker" (CBBC, 2016 Prix Jeunesse Award Finalist), and then starting ScreenDog full time off the back of "Steve Backshall & The Vertical Mile" (CBBC, 2017).

Emily Feller

COO
Warp Films

In 2023, Emily assumed the role of Chief Creative Officer at Warp Films, following her tenure as Creative Director at Big Light Productions since 2017.

Emily’s most recent projects include serving as Executive Producer on Adolescence, a gripping one-shot drama that premiered in March 2025. The series quickly became Netflix UK's most successful show, earning widespread acclaim from both critics and audiences. Adolescence soared to become the platforms second biggest English-language TV series, cementing its status as a global success.

During her time at Big Light Productions, Emily served as the Executive Producer for multiple ongoing television productions, including two seasons of Medici for Rai and Netflix, the second season of Devils for Sky, and the global premiere of Leonardo on Amazon Prime in 2022, which involved collaborations with RAI, France Télévisions, RTVE, and Sony. Additionally, Emily contributed to the creation of the scripted podcast drama, Radioman, exclusively for Audible UK.

Prior to her involvement with Big Light Productions, Emily held notable positions at RED Production Company, ITV, and Hat Trick Productions, contributing to various dramatic projects such as Banana, Ordinary Lies, Trust Me, and Holby City.

Jane Turton

Chief Executive Officer
All3Media

Jane Turton became Chief Executive Officer of All3Media in 2015 and has built the Group, which is owned by RedBird IMI, into a fast-growing, world-class content business of more than 40 award-winning independent production, distribution and digital media companies, producing content for broadcasters and digital platforms globally.
All3Media International, the Group’s distribution division, sells a catalogue of 30,000 hours of content across all genres to more than 1,000 broadcasters and platforms worldwide, and has consistently been voted the UK’s best distributor in an annual peer poll.
Little Dot Studios, All3Media’s award winning digital content agency and media network, is one of the world’s largest distributors of premium content on social video platforms.
With a deep understanding and experience of broadcasting and production, combining business acumen and creativity, Jane is focused on driving continued growth at All3Media, ensuring that its companies have the very best talent working in a business that has creative and commercial excellence at its core.
Jane joined All3Media in 2008 as Deputy Chief Operating Officer, rising to COO in 2011. She played a key role on the executive team at ITV where she was Director of Commercial and Business Affairs and Director of Business Affairs at ITV Studios and then ITV Network, the largest commercial broadcast and streamer in the UK.
Jane was also a senior executive at UK broadcasters Granada Television, United Productions, and Meridian Broadcasting.
Jane is a fellow of the Royal Television Society and Chair of the Trustees. In June 2022, Jane was awarded an OBE in the Queen's Jubilee birthday honours for her services to the television production industry.

Jill Kellie

VP Commercial Strategy, Commercial & International, Fremantle

Jill Kellie is a commercial strategist with over 20 years’ experience in global content and distribution. At Fremantle, she leads growth across FAST, digital platforms, and AI innovation, while forging key partnerships and expanding digital-first content. Her background includes senior roles at BBC Studios and consultancy for ITV Studios.

Joshua Barnett

Managing Director
After Party Studios

Joshua Barnett is the Managing Director of creative production company After Party Studios. He is an expert in content creation, branded partnerships, and the wider creator economy, with valuable insights into a generation of young talent and audiences.

Since joining After Party Studios in 2017, he has played a key role in driving their original, branded, and social content. Joshua has delivered highly successful campaigns for broadcasters, brands, and streamers, including Channel 4,0, Sky, Netflix, JD Sports, Adidas and Sidemen Entertainment. These campaigns have broken viewing records and led to products selling out within seconds.

Previously, Joshua served as the UK Sales Director at Base79, one of YouTube’s most successful Multi-Channel Networks. There, he contributed to shaping how brands engage with content creators on the platform, from sponsorships to livestreams, and the early stages of 'branded content'. He was also instrumental in its £50m sale to Rightster (now Brave Bison) in 2014. Joshua then moved to YMU, where he held the position of Head of Content Partnerships, assisting the business in navigating the ever-growing branded entertainment and online commissioning space.

Before his roles in the digital world, Joshua started his career in the music industry, working on both the label and management sides. He later transitioned into media at ITV, where he worked across both TV and digital platforms.

Kalpna Patel-Knight

Head of Entertainment
BBC

Kalpna was appointed as Head of Entertainment in July 2022 and has over 20 years’ experience in television. Kalpna oversees a raft of entertainment programming including huge hits such as Strictly Come Dancing, The Apprentice, Michael McIntyre’s Big Show and Dragons' Den, quizzes including Only Connect, Mastermind, The Weakest Link and The Hit List, much loved comedy entertainment shows including Have I Got News For You and The Graham Norton Show, stand-out gameshows including Michael McIntyre's The Wheel, and Blankety Blank plus reality and competition shows such as MasterChef, RuPaul's Drag Race UK and The Traitors plus the highly anticipated upcoming series of The Celebrity Traitors.

Prior to joining the BBC Kalpna was the Head of Entertainment at Possessed and worked as an Executive Producer on entertainment shows including Celebs Go Dating and Surprise Surprise.

Kalpna joined the BBC Entertainment department six years ago and most recently has been Commissioning Editor on series including Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel, QI, Blankety Blank and Gladiators.

Kalpna set up and is chair of the BBC’s first ever Creative Diversity and Inclusion Panel, working closely with senior leadership to action long-term change in the TV industry.

Liyanne Marie

Casting Director
Onset Octopus

Liyanne Marie is a dynamic, multi-genre casting director shaping the next generation of talent in film, TV, theatre, fashion, and digital media and now Vertical Dramas. Known for her sharp eye, passion and commitment to authentic representation.
Liyanne has been a part of some of the most exceptional casting work.
Her versatile credits span commercials, documentaries, immersive theatre, worked with Britain’s Got Talent, ITV Potato and Channel 4. She’s also worked with renowned institutions like Ghetto Film School, NFTS, and has cast culturally rich, story driven films like Never Had a Chance and now also cast vertical films.
The 1st UK Casting Director to cast vertical films & dramas in the UK such as Mafia Lover, The Mafia Obsession, Pride & Prejudice & more with the Team at Onset Octopus.
With access to top talent, models, real people, and influencers, she brings every creative vision to life with intention, energy, and cultural integrity.

Lorna Menzies

Director of Culture & Experience
People's Postcode Lottery

As Director of Culture & Experience, Lorna ensures that the People’s Postcode Lottery culture and corporate storytelling remain consistent across the organisation. She is dedicated to crafting exceptional experiences that inspire both our team members and our winners.
As one of the organisation’s founding team members, Lorna has played a pivotal role in its development and long-term success. In her previous positions as Managing Director and Head of Marketing, she was instrumental in establishing People’s Postcode Lottery as a recognised and trusted brand across the UK.
Lorna’s background in broadcast and commercial advertising has significantly contributed to the organisation’s public profile. Prior to joining People’s Postcode Lottery, she held the role of Commercial Producer at the national broadcaster STV, where she gained extensive experience in advertising and media strategy.

Nisha Parti

Founder
Parti Productions

Nisha Parti is the founder of Parti Productions, an all-female, South Asian company that explores groundbreaking, commercial stories from the South Asian diaspora for the international market.

Her first film HONOUR, a girl-on-the-run thriller, written/directed by Shan Khan and starring Paddy Considine was released theatrically in the UK/US. Her second was DARKNESS VISIBLE, a psychological horror set in India, written/directed by Neil Biswas. Her first TV Drama, an adaptation of Sathnam Sanghera’s THE BOY WITH THE TOPKNOT aired on the BBC to great critical acclaim, earning a BAFTA nomination.

She is currently in prep on a six-part greenlit series for ITV called SAVIOUR written by Imran Mahmood and Executive Produced by Peter Moffat (CRIMINAL JUSTICE, YOUR HONOUR) and an adaptation of E.M Forster’s acclaimed novel A PASSAGE TO INDIA adapted/directed by Richie Mehta (DELHI CRIME, EXTRAPOLATIONS) with NBCU and Working Title.

Nisha’s Indian origin, British Nationality and multicultural upbringing in London, combined with her extensive experience in the UK and American entertainment industries, uniquely position her to understand both Western and Indian film audiences, their intersection and the massive potential for stories that cross over to an international audience. During her time in the industry, she has proven she has the ability to identify commercially successful projects, the contacts and experience to package them and the ambition, tenacity and knowledge to produce and deliver them to a wide-reaching audience.