Channel 4 Invests In Firecrest Films

Channel 4 has confirmed it has taken a minority stake in Scottish-based production company Firecrest Films.

Established in 2008 by Nicole Kleeman, Firecrest Films set out with an initial focus on current affairs and has delivered content for the BBC, Channel 4 and ITN. Throughout the past 18 months, the production company's output has grown and expanded into features, documentary and specialist factual.

The Indie Growth Fund investment into this female-led company will help to expand the indie's creative team to increase its range of factual programming across UK broadcasters.

David Abraham, Chief Executive of Channel 4, said: "Nicole's track record in delivering critically acclaimed content that has led the national news agenda demonstrates the creative talent we have across our Nations and Regions. Investing in an impressive Scottish producer such as Nicole builds on Channel 4's on-going commitment to develop a UK-wide creative industry with a focus on growing businesses outside of London to ensure TV better reflects the stories and lives of people right across the UK."

Laura Franses, Head of Fund, added: "We're delighted to make our first investment into a news and current affairs company with considerable potential. Working closely with Ian Mackenzie's Nations & Regions team in Glasgow, I've been watching Nicole's company take shape over the last couple of years. I think it's a great moment for the Growth Fund to invest in such a strong powerful entrepreneur and help her get to the next stage."

Nicole Kleeman commented: "It has been incredibly rewarding getting Firecrest to this stage but it's now time to take the company to the next level. This is an exciting time for Scotland's booming indie sector and with Channel 4's investment I'm looking forward to hiring a new creative team to increase our output and in turn scale a significant factual TV business in Glasgow which will hopefully bring more opportunities to a new generation of Scottish production talent."

Channel 4's new Growth Fund investment follows its recent sponsorship of Indielab.

The Indie Growth Fund portfolio now consists of 12 UK-based businesses including Arrow International Media, Barcroft Media Group, Eleven Film, Lightbox Media, Popkorn Media, Renowned Films, Spelthorne Community Television, The RightsXchange (TRX), True North Productions, Voltage TV Productions and Whisper Films.

www.channel4.com

(JP/MH)