The producers of Netflix drama Supacell, Emmy-winning doc series Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy and upcoming ITV entertainment format The Neighbourhood are among the 50 individuals names as this year’s TV Collective Breakthrough Leaders.
Sheila Nortley, Nadya Mahdi and Omar Adam will take part in the fifth iteration of the talent scheme alongside the likes of drama director Khurrum M. Sultan, factual line producer Tina Razdan and production manager Sharmony Ofori.
Each of the 50 individuals – identified as people from Black, Asian and global majority background with the potential to become future leaders of the British TV industry - will receive tailored masterclasses, senior-level mentorship, a peer support network and group coaching from business strategiest Remy Blumenfeld.
To date, more than 200 professionals have completed the programme, with 95% reporting improved career prospects and 30% receiving promotions with six months.
The BBC, Paramount UK, ITV Studios, Channel 4 and Amazon Prime Video have become supporters of the scheme, alongside returning partner Fremantle.
TVC founder Simone Pennant, who created the Breakthrough Leaders programme, said: “This programme has propelled careers, created opportunities, and built a network of change-makers who are actively transforming our industry.
“As we celebrate this milestone, we remain focused on breaking barriers and ensuring talent in all forms, has the access, support, and recognition needed to thrive at the highest levels.”
Fremantle UK chief executive Amelia Brown added: “Now more than ever, programmes like Breakthrough Leaders are vital in driving meaningful and lasting change in helping to build a more inclusive and representative industry.
“The dedication and vision from Simone is unmatched and her work has been instrumental in shaping its future. Over the past five years, we’ve had the privilege of witnessing the incredible impact of Breakthrough Leaders – not only across Fremantle and our labels, but across the wider industry.”
Read more about The TV Collective Breakthrough Leaders 2025 here.
The list in full:
Al Edirisinghe — Edit Producer
Abby Kumar – Producer
Arianna Perretta — Senior Access Producer
Ayesha Mittal — Executive Producer
Becky Singh — Comedy Producer & Director
Chibuikem Oforka — Producer
Chitsidzo Kurangwa — Senior Development Producer
Elena Wong — Production Executive
Farah Qayum — Senior Producer/Executive Producer
George Shankar — Development Producer
Ifeyinwa Akanezi-Norton — Senior Talent & Development Manager
Jami Chan — Production Executive (Manager)
Janet Awe — Founder, Awethentic Tales, & Script Editor
Jessicah North — Producer Director / Edit Producer
Jonathon Bartley — Series Director
Joseph Adesunloye — Film Director & Screenwriter | Visiting Lecturer at UAL
Joshua Kintu — TV Producer
Kaio Grizzelle — Digital Commissioning Executive, Channel 4
Kaljeven Singh Lally — Writer/Director
Khurrum M Sultan — Director
Lincia Daniel — Line Producer
Mariayah Kaderbhai — Head of Programmes, Bafta
Matt Kay — Director
Misbah Alvi — Executive Producer
Mohamed Boteen — Producer / Director / Investigative Journalist
Nada Issa — Producer / Director
Nadya Mahdi — Series Producer/Director & Edit Producer
Nandita Jain — Director
Omar Adam — Senior Producer
Piers Gerber — Producer/Director & Edit Producer
Reema Samuel-Lewis — Group Head of Diversity & Inclusion Partnerships, Sky
Remi Morrison — Associate Producer
Rhianna Adams-Christie — Assistant Commissioner, BBC
Riffy Ahmed — Creative Producer & Edit Tutor
Rima Sen — Line Producer
Ross Cameron — Editor
Ryan Samuda — Director
Sabrina Scollan — Development Producer
Salomé-Dior Williams — Producer Director / Development Producer
Selina Osei — Production Manager
Selma Nicholls — Casting Director / Founder of Looks Like Me Casting
Sharmony Ofori — Production Manager
Sharuna Sagar — Senior Broadcast Journalist (Presenter/Reporter/Producer)
Sheila Nortley — Head of Drama / Exec Producer at Osun Group | Exec Producer at Wall of Entertainment
Shola Sittabey — Head of Production / Production Executive
Tina Razdan — Line Producer
Tolu Stedford — Chief Executive, Story Compounds, and Executive Producer
Tulasi Das — Producer / Director
Yolanda Lee — Development Executive
Zeb Achonu — Editor
