Former Channel 4 deputy director of programmes and head of popular factual Kelly Webb-Lamb has set up Mothership Productions, a new indie focusing on global formats and unscripted programming.“After 25 years in the industry on both sides of the pitching/buying table, it felt like it was time to take the leap and have a go at doing it for myself," Webb-Lamb said. "I can’t honestly believe I’ve managed to persuade such a brilliant group of women to come along for the ride with me. “We are super ambitious and intend to make some properly great, entertaining, warm and witty programmes – and have a lot of fun.”
Webb-Lamb is launching the new venture using experience she garnered during the development of her unscripted credits, which include "The Apprentice," "Hunted," "The Great British Bake Off," "The Island with Bear Grylls," "Mary Queen of Charity Shops" and "The Circle." During her five years at commercially funded pubcaster C4, as well as looking after a vast roster of shows, which includes "Gogglebox," "Naked Attraction," "Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds," among others, Webb-Lamb also developed new talent, like Mo Gilligan, Sophie Willan and Yinka Bokinni. Prior to joining C4 in 2018, she served as MD of Shine TV and director of factual at Princess Productions.
Mothership has confirmed projects currently in the works of advanced development, and various pitches to broadcaster and SVoD commissioners. The new establishment has already hired Webb-Lamb’s fellow C4 alums Charlotte Desai and Gilly Greenslade for its top team, as well as ex-Jamie Oliver Productions exec Gudren Claire. Claire will be Mothership’s head of production. She was previously head of production at Jamie Oliver’s Fresh One Productions and then Jamie Oliver Productions. Other past roles include head of production and production consultant for a number of startup production companies, including Parable, Summer Films and Nick Mirsky’s Five Mile Films.
Desai will serve as the company’s creative director. At C4, she created award-winning format "The Dog House." The exec joins from Five Mile Films, where she also developed "The Simpler Life," a social experiment for C4, and fellow C4 format "The Dog Academy." Desai also served as a commissioning editor at both C4 and Sky. Greenslade will serve as director of programs for the new company. She previously worked for C4, where she worked as commissioning editor for factual entertainment. Her credits include reality show The Circle – which ran for three seasons and sold globally to Netflix – Five Guys a Week and The Undateables. Before joining C4, Greenslade developed and was series producer on seasons one and two of documentary series Hospital for BBC Two.
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