Kate O'Connor
Executive Chair, Animation UK Council
Kate is an established consultant specialising in training and education in the creative industries with over 20 years’ previous experience as executive director and deputy CEO of Creative Skillset. Kate was appointed Executive Chair of the Animation UK Council in 2016, and focuses on business and skills policy, with emphasis on liaison with government and industry stakeholders.
Phil Dobree
CEO, Jellyfish Pictures
Phil setup Jellyfish Pictures in 2001 and has successfully helped transform it into a globally respected VFX and animation studio. Phil has a unique insight into the VFX and Animation industries, having been in the industry for more than 20 years.
Ruth Fielding
Joint MD, Lupus Films
Ruth Fielding is joint MD of Lupus Films, and an award-winning creative producer with over 20 years’ experience in the animation industry. Ruth has produced TV series and films for all the major UK broadcasters through Lupus Films, as well as leading co-productions with France, Ireland, India, Denmark and Wales.
Ed Galton
MD, Chief Commercial Officer, CAKE Entertainment
Ed is MD and Chief Commercial Officer and a shareholder at CAKE. Ed oversees all commercial operations of the business and the day-to-day running of the company. Ed is Exec Producer on a number of kids’ shows including the Emmy-nominated Angelo Rules, and Exec Producer on CBeebies’ pioneering animated series Pablo, created, written and voiced by autistic talent.
Oli Hyatt MBE
MD, BlueZoo
Oli Hyatt MBE set up Blue-Zoo in 2000 straight from university and over the following 16 years he has slowly grown the studio into one of the largest character animation studios in Europe. Oli was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday honours list for services to Children’s TV and Animation, as well as picking up BAFTA Production Company of the year for Blue-Zoo.
Ian Mackinnon
Co-founder, Mackinnon & Saunders
Ian is co-founder of Mackinnon & Saunders, an award-winning independent production company based in the North West of England, a key creative regional hub of the animation industry. Mackinnon & Saunders produces high quality stop motion and digital animation and puppets for commercials, TV series, short films, specials and feature films. The company also develops IP.
Jamie Badminton
Co-founder, Karrot Animation
Jamie Badminton is co-founder of Karrot Animation, and Creative Director/Producer of the BAFTA-Winning ‘Sarah & Duck’ for CBeebies. Emmy-nominated for ‘Outstanding Direction in Preschool Animation’ for ‘The Snowy Day,’ also Emmy award-winning for Producing the Amazon Studios special.
Erica Darby
Producer, Co-owner, Spider-eye
Erica Darby is producer and co-owner of Spider Eye, a multi-award winning animation studio producing 2D and CG animation for TV and film. Erica has worked in the animation industry for over 30 years, working as both an artist and a producer.
Mark Taylor
MD, A Productions
Mark is the MD of A Productions and has been in the industry for over 35 years. An award winning and BAFTA nominated director and producer with bags of experience. Mark has directed and produced a wide range of programming and content including animation and live action. Mark was on the Encounters festival board for 10 years.
Ian Liddell
CEO, Studio Liddell Ltd.
Ian Liddell is CEO of Studio Liddell Ltd, as well as one of the original co-founders of the company in Manchester, UK in 1996. Studio Liddell is a production company working in animation, and creators of stunning still, moving & interactive visual experiences in a cross-platform world. Ian is also Group Creative Director of Immotion Group plc.
Kerry Lock
Finance Director, Aardman Animation
Kerry is the Finance Director at Aardman Animations (Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep, Timmy Time, Chicken Run), a role he has held since 2003, after joining the company in 1996.
Britt Gardiner
Chief Financial Officer, Locksmith Animation
Britt has over 25 years of expertise from working in the global media and entertainment sector, being an experienced finance director and a Fellow Chartered Accountant having qualified at PWC. Britt joined Locksmith Animation, the UK’s only dedicated high-end CG animation studio, as Chief Financial officer in 2015.
Barney Goodland
Associate Producer, Magic Light Pictures
Barney joined Magic Light Pictures in 2008, and has overseen aspects of production and delivery on all the company’s films. He been responsible for Magic Light’s digital initiatives, helping to set up an award winning social community and develop a range of apps, including BAFTA-nominated AR experience, Gruffalo Spotter.
Jon Rennie
Managing Director, Cloth Cat Animation
Jon began his career in computer games before moving to filmmaking. From there he began to work in animation and is now Managing Director of Cloth Cat Animation (Series Animation) 2D and CG animation company based in Cardiff, UK, and Thud Media (Games and Interactive). Their work can be seen on CBeebies, Disney, Cartoon Network, Netflix, S4C, CCTV, ABC Australia and many more channels worldwide.
