Studio Lambert is to open a new regional base in Manchester.
It will be headed up by Darrell Olsen, who’s been named head of unscripted, Studio Lambert North.
Olsen has been executive producer of Dragons’ Den for the last 2 years and was previously series editor of the show.
“I have hugely enjoyed working with the Dragons’ Den team in Manchester over the last four years and I am very proud of what we have achieved,” said Olsen.
“But I feel it’s time to take on new challenges and the opportunity to set up a regional business with Studio Lambert, a company I’ve long admired, was irresistible.”
Stephen Lambert explained that the indie would move production of some of its returning series to the city from next year, it will also use the Manchester office to produce and develop new programmes.
“Establishing a permanent regional base is a significant step for us,” he stated.
“I’m delighted someone with Darrell’s considerable experience and talent has agreed to spearhead our ambitious plans. We appreciate the pressure on UK broadcasters to commission out-of-London and moving the production of some of our returning series to Manchester means Studio Lambert North will get off to a flying start.”
Olsen starts in January and will report directly to Lambert and creative director, Tim Harcourt.
The decision comes following increased pressure on Ofcom to tighten up its out of London legislation. Earlier this year, the Indie Club relaunched as a national body to push for production companies to have a “substantive base” outside of the capital, in order to qualify for “Made outside London” criteria.
