The Talent Manager and Bectu are running a speed-meet networking event for freelancers at this year’s Edinburgh TV Festival, taking place on Wednesday 20 August 2025 from 4:30pm-5:30pm and we have 16 senior TV Execs on board.
We know it's been another difficult year for freelancers which is why we've secured top execs from across the industry who can share their insight and advice.
The event offers emerging and established TV professionals a rare chance to meet decision-makers from some of the UK’s leading production companies.
Spaces are limited and we're aiming to match freelancers with the companies most relevant to them.
So to be considered for the event please submit your CV to ttmcvs@thetalentmanager.com including your job title and “ETV Fest” in the subject line.
The selection process aims to connect freelancers and talent with companies most aligned to their skills and ambitions, whether in factual, entertainment, drama, or development. Please specify the top five of our Execs that you’d like to have 10 min meets with, why the meetings might be of benefit and some details about your current work situation. Submissions are particularly welcome from those who have been impacted by the ongoing industry downturn.
While there’s no guarantee you'll get a slot, we’ll confirm a maximum of five meetings per delegate and aim to secure you at least one. .
Only freelancers with Edinburgh TV Festival tickets are eligible to submit for this event but the festival has a limited number of subsidised day passes (100 per day at £50 +booking fee & VAT) for out-of-work freelancers in the TV industry to attend. Contact them here to apply.
The deadline for submissions is 5pm on Friday 8th August 2025.
CONFIRMED COMPANY ATTENDEES:
RICHARD WATSHAM – Commissioning Editor – UKTV
As Chief Creative Officer, Richard oversees the content pipeline for all UKTV brands and leads BBC Studios’ and UKTV’s global acquisitions team. He manages content acquisition across BBC Studios’ Branded Services and UKTV’s full channel portfolio, alongside his commissioning remit.
Previously Director of Commissioning at UKTV for nine years, Richard led the award-winning team behind the network’s successful originations strategy. He oversaw a five-fold increase in commissions, launched original dramas, broke viewing records across all channels, and built strong relationships with talent and indies.
Richard’s credits include Traces, The Marlow Murder Club, Bergerac, Annika, Bookish, Outrageous, Meet The Richardsons, Taskmaster, Dynamo: Magician Impossible, and Dave Gorman: Modern Life is Goodish. Factual hits include Big Zuu’s Big Eats, Pete Wicks: For Dogs’ Sake, Will & Ralf Should Know Better, Emma Willis: Delivering Babies, Inside the Ambulance, and Bangers & Cash. He is Chair of Action for Freelancers and the Creative Diversity Network.
SOLETA ROGAN – Managing Director – Rogan Productions
Soleta co-founded Rogan Productions after a career in retail marketing. She manages operations and branding, producing films like The Craftsmen’s Dinner and The Confession: Living the War on Terror.
TANYA WINSTON – Creative Director – Blast Films
Tanya has directed and EP’d acclaimed docs including The Secret Life of the Zoo, Italia 90, Narcos, and High. She now oversees high-profile commissions for Netflix, HBO, and Disney/Nat Geo.
MARK DOWNIE – Creative Director – IWC Media
Mark has led commissions across history, arts, and reality including Fred West: The Glasgow Girls and Susan Calman’s Grand Day Out. Formerly at Channel 4 and Maverick, he also produced Embarrassing Bodies.
DAWN BERESFORD – Director of Talent & Skills – BBC Commissioning
Dawn leads the BBC’s talent and skills strategy across Commissioning, focusing on developing and supporting a diverse and thriving creative workforce. She works closely with indie partners and internal teams to champion inclusive hiring and career progression.
HELEN PRATT – Creative Talent Executive – BBC Commissioning
Helen supports the discovery and development of creative talent across BBC Commissioning. She works with production companies and in-house teams to identify emerging voices and ensure a strong pipeline of skilled, diverse programme-makers.
KATE DEVLIN – Director of Development – Boom Cymru
Kate leads development at Boom Cymru, producing acclaimed content like Men Up and Big Zuu’s Big Eats. Formerly at Channel 4, she commissioned award-winning factual series and documentaries.
DONNA CLARK – Managing Director – DSP
Donna oversees hit series like Sunday Brunch and Interior Design Masters. Formerly Head of Commissioning at the BBC, she commissioned Employable Me, Full Steam Ahead, and Back to the Land.
JANE ROGERSON – Managing Director – Red Sky Productions
Jane EPs Island Medics, Tiny Lives, and Puppy School. She previously held senior roles at UKTV, ITV, and Mentorn, and was Deputy Chair of the Edinburgh TV Festival.
JEANNOT HUTCHESON – HR and Talent Executive – Raise The Roof Productions
Jeannot oversees HR and talent strategy at Raise the Roof. Formerly with Pact, she helped develop diversity resources. She holds an MSc in HRM and has a production background at BBC.
MIKE BENSON – Managing Director – Chalkboard TV
Mike co-Exec Produces C5 hits like The Teacher and The Good Ship Murder. Previously with BBC Studios and Shine, he began in TV as a pooper scooper on Britain’s Best Dog.
EMMA CURTIS – Director of Business – Firecrest Films
Emma manages Firecrest’s business strategy, including production and finance. She joined in 2017 and rose to Head of Production. Credits include Liar, Murder Trial, and Highland Cops.
LORRAINE McKECHNIE – Executive Producer – Finestripe Productions
Lorraine EP’d Murder Trial, The Mysterious Mr Lagerfeld, and Boris Becker: The Rise and Fall. Known for securing rare access, she’s a former C4 Nations & Regions exec and BBC1 doc producer.
SAM EWEN – Head of Entertainment – After Party Studios
Sam shapes entertainment at After Party Studios. With a decade in YouTube, he’s behind hits like Does The Shoe Fit and Minor Issues, bridging digital-first content with broadcasters and streamers.
MATTHEW WORTHY – Joint MD – Stellify Media
Stellify was founded by Matthew Worthy and Kieran Doherty in 2014 as a joint venture with Sony Pictures Television. It is an unscripted production company based in Belfast, produced Netflix’s very first game show Flinch!, and relaunched Millionaire with Jeremy Clarkson in 2017. It has recently been announced as the producer of 4-part docu-drama Titanic Sinks Tonight for the BBC, a reality reboot of Blind Date for Disney+, competition series The Art Game for the BBC, Millionaire spin-off Hot Seat for ITV, and BBC daytime series Farm 999.
JOSH WILKINS – COO – Story Films
Prior to joining Story Films Josh worked in New York as Vice President (Production) at Discovery before setting up a film studio in the UK. With more than 25 years of experience in feature films, factual, and scripted television, Josh helps oversee all aspects of the company and production.
CHARMAINE EVANS - HEAD OF TALENT - STV
Charmaine began her career producing and training teams across Entertainment, Factual Entertainment, and Reality TV, before moving into off-screen Talent Management. She launched the Talent department at STV Studios in 2022 and now leads teams across Glasgow and London. Passionate about diversity and wellbeing, Charmaine also leads STV’s Represent peer group and brings a nurturing, inclusive approach to talent development.
