What’s your role at MultiStory?
I’m the Creative Director in London and I oversee multiple productions at any one time whilst also helping to devise and develop and pitch new IP along with Ana and the development team. I am also the unofficial head of the ‘Mumsnet’ table in London where anyone is welcome to come and moan about sleepless nights, anti-aging must-haves and the virtues of Vinted
What made you want to get into TV and how did you make that a reality?
I’d like to say it was my starring role in Timmy Mallett’s Wacaday where, as a 7 year old, I got repeatedly hit over the head with a giant rubber mallet (for those under 40 – google it). But in truth – I was fortunate enough to come of age at a really exciting time in TV and I always knew that’s what I wanted to be a part of. I had no connections in TV and at that time it was definitely who you knew. However, I applied for a runner’s position at a Post Production company which was advertised in the Evening Standard (for those under 40 – this was how recruitment happened pre internet) and got the job. One of my first runs was to get breast feeding paraphernalia for the MD and to feed the reception area fish with stinky frozen fish food cubes. But from there I got to know some of the Producers who regularly used the edit facility and soon enough, I’d bagged myself an internship at MTV
What’s the biggest hurdle you’ve had to overcome to get to where you are?
I think self doubt has probably been one of my biggest personal hurdles earlier on in my career. There have been two or three watershed moments where I have been metaphorically pushed, shunted and shoved by some amazingly supportive female leaders, to go for a promotion or take a job that I didn’t feel I was 110% qualified for.
I also think it’s not easy climbing the career ladder and balancing being a mum too. I remember being about to burst at 7 months pregnant with twins and still commuting in and doing the hours that everyone else was doing – which, in retrospect, was bonkers. But things have definitely changed in the last 10 years and we are very lucky to work at Multistory which has been the most family-friendly company I’ve been at so far.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
I’ve had such a long and varied journey so far so there have been many. But a personal highlight was devising and developing (multi BAFTA award winning) Operation Ouch for CBBC. It was such a fun show to create and make – but it also felt like it was nourishing young minds (as opposed to rotting them!). And it’s still going strong over a decade later so we must have done something right.
It was also a privilege to get to be a Commissioner at Channel 4 and see how things work at a Broadcaster. Plus bring to life some iconic shows of the time including Celebs Go Dating and Tattoo Fixers
What was your biggest “pinch me’ moment?
Getting to watch rehearsals of some of the most amazing performers up close at the BRITs – just me, the crew Prince, Amy Winehouse, The Streets and an empty auditorium. Amazing.
Are there any big learning curves or disaster moments you can look back on and laugh about now?
The entire BBC3 studio got washed away one year at Glastonbury. That was a fun one – but we pivoted and still made it to air by 7pm.
Finally – on a live Saturday morning show in the noughties, my SP volunteered me for an item where every single member of McFly had to lick chocolate off my face. I think this footage still exists on youtube – do not google it.
What are your favourite TV shows?
I love a bit of escapism when I turn on the telly and definitely don’t want to feel stressed. So sunny reality like Selling Sunset/OC are my go-tos. Motherland is my life so that’s one of my all time favourites. And then to balance it all out, I love a good suspense drama. I recently binged all of the Slow Horses series on Apple and can’t wait for the new series to drop in September.
