1. Phil Redmond. One of the UK’s best known and most respected drama producers, responsible for devising Grange Hill, Brookside and Hollyoaks. Rose from a council estate in North Liverpool to become a media celebrity and owner of one of the country’s largest independent production companies, Mersey TV, eventually sold to All 3 Media in 2005. Redmond is now actively involved with a range of creative industries’ initiatives in the region and steering Liverpool’s European Capital of Culture preparations. His drive, international standing, contact book and passionate commitment to the region placed him right at the top of the judges’ selection.
Abbott
2. Paul Abbott. Along with Russell T Davies (q.v.) and Jimmy McGovern (q.v.), Burnley-born Abbott is one of the ‘holy trinity’ of British TV writers based in the region. From his apprenticeship at Corrie and co-creating the ITV children’s medical drama Children’s Ward he moved up a league when he was the surprise choice to produce the second series of Cracker for McGovern. He penned the gritty drama Clocking Off, famously described his own wild childhood through the tragic-comic antics of Shameless, and showed his diversity with the political thriller State of Play. He is now exporting TV to the States through Tightrope Pictures from the Pie Factory, and is unquestionably one of the country’s most sought-after TV industry figures. Not bad for someone abandoned at 11, sectioned at 15 and divorced by 21. Family and he are happily ensconced in a leafy Hale mansion adjacent to a £3m pile he is gradually turning into a writers’ school.
Woodward
3. Sue Woodward. MD of ITV Granada and the ITV plc director responsible for the regional affairs strategies of all 11 ITV regional stations. Born in Liverpool and started out at the Liverpool Echo before moving to Fleet Street, Granada, the BBC and finally back to Granada. Has risen through the ranks from regional news editor to director of broadcasting and finally MD of ITV Granada in 2004. Secondments to the Commonwealth games and Capital of Culture together with involvement in Salford, with Midas and others ensure her creative contribution to the region is virtually unmatched.
Goodey
4. Felicity Goodey. Some may quibble with her presence in this list but the sheer number of nominations she received concurred with the judges’ overwhelming view that she is first and foremost an outstanding media operator. Twenty eight years with the BBC has been followed by stints with the North West Development Agency and Central Salford urban regeneration company, playing a key role in bringing the Lowry to Salford Quays and forging an increasingly close relationship with John Whittaker, owner of Peel Holdings. Viewed by many as the person primarily responsible for bringing Media City UK to Salford. Along the way helped found production company Unique Communications. Is likely to be along soon with yet more media-related ventures.
Horrocks
5. Paul Horrocks. Editor of one of the UK’s dominant regional papers (181,536 copies a day, free and paid combined) and current President of the Society of Editors. Joined the paper in 1975 as a reporter, appointed news editor in ’89, deputy editor in ’96 and editor in ’97 following the abrupt departure of Mike Unger. Frequently called on as a media pundit, he has overseen the creation of the hybrid price model and the paper’s multimedia hub which will shortly be joined by TV station Channel M. Active involvement in the community and the paper’s continuing profile place him this high in the list. His challenge however is to retain the paper’s influence in the face of a more competitive market than the paper has experienced for many years.
Davies
6. Russell T Davies. 6ft 6in, 44-year-old Russell Davies (the ‘T’ is fictitious) is possibly the UK’s most sought-after TV writer at the moment. Ranked 15th by The Guardian in its national media ranking and by the Independent on Sunday as the most influential gay person in Britain, he shares his time between Manchester and Cardiff (where Dr Who is filmed). Early days with Corrie led in due course to a highly successful collaboration with Red Productions (q.v. Nicola Schindler) creating Queer as Folk. Other work includes The Second Coming, Linda Green and Touching Evil. But it was his reinvigoration of Doctor Who that got the TV industry drooling.
Purnell
7. James Purnell. The MP for Stalybridge and Hyde was appointed Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport in June this year. The last of the three North West entrants in The Guardian’s list of top 100 media and creative folk. Ofcom, digital switch-over (started in Whitehaven last month), the BBC and its various funding and broadcasting issues, the possible privatisation of Channel 4…all these and more will come under his remit.
O'Brien
8. Tamsin O’Brien. Bowdon-born O’Brien was previously head of BBC Yorkshire before taking on her current role in August 2006 as head of regional and local programmes for the BBC in the North West. She is in charge of all regional TV output, including North West Tonight and The Politics Show, and Radios Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire and Cumbria. A former editor of North West Tonight, she joined the Beeb while still at university. In her spare time she's a singer.
Machray
9. Alastair Machray: Editor of the Liverpool Echo which, with around 400,000 readers, remains not only one of the best read regional newspapers in the UK, but also manages to retain a higher than average affinity with the region it serves. A former editor of both the Liverpool and North Wales editions of the Daily Post, he has led a number of high-profile campaigns since taking over, latterly the Liverpool Unites anti-gun crime campaign. In addition to managing all the changes affecting contemporary media, he has taken responsibility for overseeing the editorial development of Echo Outdoor and Echo TV output. “I believe” he states, “I truly believe, it's Britain's best paper in Britain's best city.”
Utley
10. Anthony Utley. MD of Cosgrove Hall, one of Europe’s largest animation houses with programmes such as Postman Pat, Fifi and the Flowertots, Dangermouse, Count Duckula Rupert Bear to its credit. Utley joined the south Manchester company from a marketing role in BBC Worldwide in 2005 with a brief to start developing the company’s own ‘properties’ in addition to production of others’ programmes. This is now happening with an increasing number of international productions and commissions. The ITV-owned company employs 70 staff across its two studios.
Burgess
11. Robin Burgess. Fourth generation family member and chief executive of the privately-owned CN Group based in Carlisle: a group much coveted by publishers and venture capitalists alike. CN publishes a variety of print and digital titles and owns several radio stations in the North West, the Midlands and Northern Ireland. Cut his publishing teeth at Emap before returning to the fold in 1976. Has held a variety of positions in Cumbria relating to tourism and economic development and has served as that county’s Deputy Lieutenant. A current member of the Newspaper Society Council.
Schindler
12. Nicola Schindler. The Rochdale-born 39-year-old Man Utd fan is the founder and executive producer of Red Productions in Manchester and has been described as a ‘one woman hit factory’. Hits include Clocking Off, Bob and Rose and Queer As Folk, the latter the platform for Red’s creation in 1998. Came to prominence at Granada as a scriptwriter on Cracker in the early ‘90s. Has worked alongside a number of the region’s leading TV writers and producers. Russell T Davies (q.v.) is expected to return to the Red fold with more Queer As Folk series when his Dr Who stints are over.
Benson
13. Neil Benson. 52-year-old editorial director, Trinity Mirror Regionals and now on an interim basis also regional business development director at the company’s Midlands operations following a management exodus caused by a failed buy-out attempt. Began his career on the Sheffield Star and worked his way up the ranks into various senior management positions including editor of the Newcastle Evening Chronicle and MD of the Teesside division. Appointed editorial director of TMR by former MD Stephen Parker, he also holds responsibility for the company’s training and is deeply committed to leading TM’s drive into digital media.
Lucas
14. Dave Lucas. Together with Andy Jeal and Mike Williams founded MediaVest in 1994. Today it is one of the UK’s largest independently owned media buying companies. Lucas owns 29% of the company, which has sales of £220m and pre tax profits of £9m. The agency was recently ranked 5th biggest digital media buyer in the UK with digital billings of £34m and was also recently ranked 114th in The Sunday Times' 'Top Track 250' of the biggest mid-market private companies - the only media/advertising agency in the UK represented. Lucas is seen as the ‘brains’ complementing Jeal’s ‘brawn’ – more than likely unfair but the two have worked a regional advertising minor miracle. The agency has also quietly been building majority stakes in two increasingly successful sports and recruitment agencies, also based in Manchester.
Murray
15. Jenni Murray. A northern grammar school education (she attended Barnsley Girls High School) has served the 57-year-old broadcaster well. A former Today Show and Newsnight presenter, Murray has fronted Woman's Hour on Radio 4 for over 20 years. The programme’s title hardly chimes with the resonance of the present age but it retains a fiercely loyal audience and exerts an extraordinary influence over a huge swathe of the UK’s middle classes. Underwent a very public and ultimately successful battle with breast cancer and returned reinvigorated in the spring this year. Also presents from Manchester the media programme The Message. In 1999 she was awarded an OBE for services to broadcasting. Has homes in London and Cheshire.
Hastings
16. Alison Hastings. Journalist, former editor and BBC Trust member responsible for England has a contact book to die for. Edited the Newcastle Evening Chronicle from 1996 to 2002 and then relocated to Liverpool when husband David Fleming took job top at National Museums Liverpool. Former columnist on UK Press Gazette, she can be frequently heard as a media pundit in addition to advising her own clients including Camelot and Liverpool City Council. A member of the Society of Editors and an adviser to the Press Complaints Commission.
Radcliffe
17. Mark Radcliffe. Born and educated privately in Bolton, Radcliffe, 49, today resides in rural Cheshire. One of the few radio personalities whose obvious ‘northern-ness’ has not proved a barrier to nationwide popularity; indeed his somewhat dry humour has made him into one of the most successful radio presenters. Began his career at Piccadilly Radio in 1982 before joining the Beeb in 1990. Came to national prominence with the Mark and Lard Show on Radio 1, which began in an evening slot before moving to the breakfast show when Chris Evans left in 1997. Moved to Radio 2 in 2004 where he fulfils a number of different slots including principal stand-in for Steve Wright in the afternoon.
Roberts
18. Kieran Roberts. Controller of drama for ITV Productions Manchester. Fiercely passionate supporter of all things Manchester and decentralisation from London. Has a big job with lots of success to date but he does have to pitch centrally to win commissions. Most recently responsible for Mobile, Cold Blood and Blue Murder. Began his TV career at Granada in 1984 as a scriptwriter and worked his way to producer in 1989 of The Krypton Factor, You’ve Been Framed and University Challenge. Took over Emmerdale in 1998 and then Corrie in 2001. Appointed to his current role in 2005 and retains his exec producer role with Corrie. Several Emmy, BAFTA and RTS nominations and awards to his credit.
McGovern
19. Jimmy McGovern. Together with Abbott (q.v.) and Davies (q.v.), one of the region’s ‘holy trinity’ of outstandingly successful TV writers. McGovern, 58, came to prominence with Brookside at its launch in 1982. First Cracker in the early ‘90s and then the Lakes later in the decade, together with one-offs such as Hillsborough, cemented his reputation nationally and internationally. Dramatisations of royal figures plus BBC1’s The Street in more recent years have ensured he remains at the forefront of TV execs’ attention. King Cotton, his first musical, produced in part for Liverpool’s Capital of Culture celebrations, demonstrates his ongoing and deep-seated commitment to Liverpool.
Burns
20. Gordon Burns. There’s more than the Krypton Factor and North West Tonight to 65-year-old, Belfast-born Burns than people realise. Began his career as a print journalist on The East Antrim Times and then The Belfast Telegraph before moving into broadcasting as a news presenter on Ulster TV. Presented the Krypton Factor for 18 years until 1995. The anchorman on the BBC’s North West Tonight since 1997, he was joined this summer by his first co-host, Ranvir Singh (q.v.). Other projects over the years have included Radio 2 presenting and Surprise Surprise for London Weekend Television. Reputedly a season ticket holder at Old Trafford.
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