Channel 4 and 4Skills announce first Junior Commissioning Editors and 24 Nations & Regions indies to receive Business Boost

Channel 4 has today announced the appointment of two new junior commissioning editor roles and details of 24 production companies from across the UK which will be receive bespoke support as part of its bolstered Business Boost Programme.

The announcements are part of Channel 4’s wider strategy to support creative careers, empower regional indies, and build long-term resilience within the production sector across the UK.

The schemes – the Junior Commissioning Editor Programme and Business Boost – are run and funded by Channel 4’s development and training programme, 4Skills. The programmes form key parts of the broadcaster’s ongoing strategy to champion creativity, inclusion, and opportunity throughout the UK’s Nations and Regions.

Sinead Rocks, Channel 4’s Managing Director, Nations and Regions, said:

“These appointments are a meaningful investment in regional creative leadership. They reflect our belief that great commissioning talent exists all across the UK – and that we must do more to find, develop and empower it. Coupled with our Business Boost programme, we are laying the groundwork for a more sustainable, resilient and regionally representative broadcast sector.”

Emma Hardy, Channel 4’s Director of Commissioning Operations, said: 

“Business Boost and the Junior Commissioning Editor Programme are about delivering practical, targeted support whether that’s tailored business advice to help indies grow, or creating meaningful entry points into commissioning outside London. Collaborating with 4Skills to shape these programmes is a continuation of our work to strengthen the creative economy across the Nations and Regions.”

Junior Commissioning Editor Programme

Dave Donald (Glasgow) and Coral Lawson (Leeds) are the first appointments (in the Lifestyle genre) of Channel 4’s Junior Commissioning Editor Programme a strategic, new initiative designed to develop the next generation of commissioning talent outside of London.

The programme will provide immersive editorial experience, mentorship from senior commissioning editors, and direct exposure to content development and production processes.

A third Junior Commissioning Editor is also due to be appointed in Bristol and later this year three more commissioning roles, based in Channel 4’s out of London hubs, will be appointed across digital, drama and reality & entertainment teams.

Coral Lawson said: “"I’m absolutely delighted to be joining the Channel 4 Lifestyle team. Their content has long been my go-to for pure viewing pleasure, and I’ve been fortunate enough to contribute to some of the team’s most successful returning series. Having been based in the north of England for nearly 15 years, it’s fantastic to see Channel 4’s continued commitment to supporting and developing talent across the Nations and Regions.”

Dave Donald said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining the Lifestyle team at Channel 4.  Having produced content for them, I’ve seen first-hand how creative they are, and how the audience is front-and-centre in everything they do. The team shape some truly brilliant shows, and I’m so excited to be part of that. As someone who has built a career in Glasgow, it’s great to see Channel 4 further invest in the Nations and Regions while championing diverse voices. I can’t wait to get started!”

Business Boost Programme

In addition to bolstering its own out of London commissioning team, Channel 4 has reconfigured its Business Boost Programme to help the growth of 24 indies outside of London.

The Business Boost Programme offers bespoke training to improve leadership and business skills among N&R-based independent production companies. It will offer two distinct programmes - Business Boost Foundations is designed to support early-stage indies and Business Boost Next Level will focus on established businesses poised for growth.

The production companies selected for Channel 4’s 2025 Business Boost cohort are:

Business Boost Foundations – for smaller or early-stage indies

• Crash Productions (Wales)
• Bowled Over Media (South)
• Calling the Shots Films Limited (South West)
• Walk on Air Films (Northern Ireland)
• Wander Films (North East)
• Afro-Mic Productions (Northern Ireland)
• Angel Eye Media Ltd (South West)
• High Rock Media (Northern Ireland)
• Button Down (North)
• Recorded Time (Northern Ireland)
• Circus 68 Scotland Ltd (Scotland)
• GOSH TV LTD (Midlands)

Business Boost Next Level production companies are:

• Freedom Scripted (Scotland)
• Chatterbox Media (South)
• Candour Productions (North)
• Kailash Films Ltd (Wales)
• Zandland Ltd (North)
• Afanti Media Ltd (Wales)
• Monster Films (Wales)
• Black Camel Pictures (Scotland)
• ScreenDog Productions (South)
• Salamanda Media Limited (North)
• Waddell Media Limited (Northern Ireland)
• Full Fat Television Ltd (Midlands)

Channel 4’s Nations and Regions strategy

The launch of these initiatives builds on a wide-reaching Nations and Regions strategy launched in October 2024, which set out a bold commitment to increasing Channel 4’s impact across the UK. As part of this:

• £35 million in ringfenced content spend has been committed for Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland by 2027
• Channel 4 will increase its main channel content spend in the Nations from 9% to 12% by 2028, exceeding its Ofcom target two years early
• Lead Commissioning Editors have been appointed for each Nation to develop deeper, more strategic relationships with regional suppliers
• All new More4 commissions in 2025–26 will be reserved for indies based in the Nations or English regions
• Each Nation will receive an additional £100k in development funding starting this year

These announcements also support Channel 4’s Fast Forward strategy, which commits to: growing its network of regional production hubs in Leeds, Glasgow, Bristol and Manchester; reaching 600 roles outside London; and investing £10 million a year through 4Skills to support talent development, with a focus on underrepresented communities and skills gaps.