Menu
12/10/2009
Matchlight To Create Jobs In Glasgow
New Glasgow-based television production company Matchlight has been awarded £40,000 by Scottish Enterprise under the Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) scheme.
The award has already helped Matchlight create five new jobs in Glasgow. It is hoped that the company will grow over the next three years creating twenty permanent jobs and many more freelance opportunities for programme makers across Scotland.
Over that period, via RSA, Scottish Enterprise will provide up to £250,000 work of support to the company.
Matchlight is the largest indigenous production company to have opened in Scotland since the Scottish Broadcasting Commission identified a shortfall in network commissioning from Scotland for both the BBC and Channel 4.
Matchlight is a joint venture between six leading Scottish programme makers and DCD Media, one of the UK's largest independent television groups. The company is headed by Creative Director Ross Wilson, an International Emmy and BAFTA Award-winning documentary producer/director and Managing Director David Smith. The new company has already secured commissions from the BBC and Channel 4 as well as development support from both Channel 4 and the BBC.
Scottish Culture Minister Mike Russell MSP said: "The independent sector is vital to establishing a strong production base for Scotland's broadcasting industry, as well as being an important source of employment. I am therefore delighted that the Scottish government's Regional Selective Assistance programme is being used in this way. I congratulate Matchlight on its funding award, and I hope that it, and other independent companies in Scotland, will make an increasing number of quality television programmes in the years to come."
Matchlight's Creative Director, Ross Wilson said: "Matchlight is the first indigenous production company of scale to open in Scotland for several years.
"The BBC and Channel 4 have both moved to increase the volume of network television they commission from Scotland and Matchlight hopes to seize that initiative by making TV that's popular but also clever, engaging audiences across the UK and beyond.
"I'm delighted that Scottish Enterprise have seen the value in our proposal and backed it with meaningful financial support across the three years to 2012," he said.
Matchlight's Managing Director David Smith said: "Scotland has a reputation for making great TV and we want to help ensure it continues to do so for many years to come by adding to Scotland's long-term production capability. We are looking to achieve significant growth over the next three years, creating jobs and opportunities for both permanent and freelance programme makers across Scotland. The RSA support that Scottish Enterprise has provided, alongside the creative partnership we have formed with DCD Media, will be vital to our achieving this goal."
DCD Media's Acting CEO and Chief Creative Officer David Green said: "We believe that Matchlight combines the outstanding talent, experience and ambition necessary to rapidly become a key player in the TV production in Scotland. We are thrilled that Scottish Enterprise share this vision and decided to support the realisation of the company's full potential over the long term."
(KMcA/BMcC)
The award has already helped Matchlight create five new jobs in Glasgow. It is hoped that the company will grow over the next three years creating twenty permanent jobs and many more freelance opportunities for programme makers across Scotland.
Over that period, via RSA, Scottish Enterprise will provide up to £250,000 work of support to the company.
Matchlight is the largest indigenous production company to have opened in Scotland since the Scottish Broadcasting Commission identified a shortfall in network commissioning from Scotland for both the BBC and Channel 4.
Matchlight is a joint venture between six leading Scottish programme makers and DCD Media, one of the UK's largest independent television groups. The company is headed by Creative Director Ross Wilson, an International Emmy and BAFTA Award-winning documentary producer/director and Managing Director David Smith. The new company has already secured commissions from the BBC and Channel 4 as well as development support from both Channel 4 and the BBC.
Scottish Culture Minister Mike Russell MSP said: "The independent sector is vital to establishing a strong production base for Scotland's broadcasting industry, as well as being an important source of employment. I am therefore delighted that the Scottish government's Regional Selective Assistance programme is being used in this way. I congratulate Matchlight on its funding award, and I hope that it, and other independent companies in Scotland, will make an increasing number of quality television programmes in the years to come."
Matchlight's Creative Director, Ross Wilson said: "Matchlight is the first indigenous production company of scale to open in Scotland for several years.
"The BBC and Channel 4 have both moved to increase the volume of network television they commission from Scotland and Matchlight hopes to seize that initiative by making TV that's popular but also clever, engaging audiences across the UK and beyond.
"I'm delighted that Scottish Enterprise have seen the value in our proposal and backed it with meaningful financial support across the three years to 2012," he said.
Matchlight's Managing Director David Smith said: "Scotland has a reputation for making great TV and we want to help ensure it continues to do so for many years to come by adding to Scotland's long-term production capability. We are looking to achieve significant growth over the next three years, creating jobs and opportunities for both permanent and freelance programme makers across Scotland. The RSA support that Scottish Enterprise has provided, alongside the creative partnership we have formed with DCD Media, will be vital to our achieving this goal."
DCD Media's Acting CEO and Chief Creative Officer David Green said: "We believe that Matchlight combines the outstanding talent, experience and ambition necessary to rapidly become a key player in the TV production in Scotland. We are thrilled that Scottish Enterprise share this vision and decided to support the realisation of the company's full potential over the long term."
(KMcA/BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland Recruitment News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
15 June 2010
Historic Scotland Stonemasons Train Young People In Harlem
Historic Scotland stonemasons travelled to the United States recently to help train young people in Harlem, New York. Kenny McCaffrey from Cupar and Malcolm Hutcheon from Insch worked with young people learning masonry and preservation skills through the Abyssinian Development Corporation (ADC).
Historic Scotland Stonemasons Train Young People In Harlem
Historic Scotland stonemasons travelled to the United States recently to help train young people in Harlem, New York. Kenny McCaffrey from Cupar and Malcolm Hutcheon from Insch worked with young people learning masonry and preservation skills through the Abyssinian Development Corporation (ADC).
12 May 2011
UK Skillset Apprentice Scheme Launched
Ten new media apprentices will get the chance to contribute to the BBC's Olympic output next year thanks to a new initiative launched recently by Skillset. BBC Scotland, John Wheatley College in Glasgow and Skillset Scotland have joined forces to establish a new Skillset apprenticeship in Creative and Digital Media.
UK Skillset Apprentice Scheme Launched
Ten new media apprentices will get the chance to contribute to the BBC's Olympic output next year thanks to a new initiative launched recently by Skillset. BBC Scotland, John Wheatley College in Glasgow and Skillset Scotland have joined forces to establish a new Skillset apprenticeship in Creative and Digital Media.
19 May 2011
Carbon Capture Offers Construction Jobs Boost
Research published today has found that three proposed Scottish carbon capture and storage demonstration projects could be worth £3 billion to the national economy and generate 5,000 new jobs in construction and operation.
Carbon Capture Offers Construction Jobs Boost
Research published today has found that three proposed Scottish carbon capture and storage demonstration projects could be worth £3 billion to the national economy and generate 5,000 new jobs in construction and operation.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
