Edward Pugh

GOT TALENT? TRY TELLING ED

EDWARD Pugh is a gentle giant sort of a man. At 6ft 5inch he towers over most people he meets, in a protective, fatherly-type way. His distinctive, paternal demeanour is a charming characteristic to have, especially in his new job as Talent Base Manager for North West Vision, the film, TV and digital media development agency for the Northwest.

“It’s my job to look at the wide-ranging talent we have in the Northwest, and to identify any skills gaps,” says Ed, 58. “It’s a huge challenge, but I like to think I’m the right man for the job,” he adds.

Having spent over 35 years in the industry, the Bafta-award winning TV exec has amassed a lifetime of contacts and connections.

“I’ve worked for the BBC, Granada and several independent production companies, so I’ve met thousands of people from all areas of the industry. My heart has always been in the Northwest, though, which is why it’s such a privilege to be doing this new job,” says Ed, a father-of-three who lives in Bowdon, Cheshire.

“From runners to producers, crew to camera, I’ll be tracking down our local professionals, adding them to the North West Vision talent database, then telling the world what wonderfully talented people we have here!”

The newly-created role of Talent Base Manager is North West Vision’s response to an increasingly competitive market place. Attracting film and TV production to an area is a highly lucrative source of inward investment, with multi-million-pound budgets at stake.

“TV and film production in the Northwest has increased by nearly 30 per cent in the last year, which is wonderful news, but if we want to maintain, or better still increase that figure, then we have to stay ahead of the game,” says Ed.

Making sure the Northwest is able to offer a committed, professional and reliable talent base is a huge incentive to potential programme-makers. “We need people from every area of the industry,” explains Ed, who earned his own industry stripes by starting at the bottom, and working his way to the top.

“After graduating from drama school, I started as a runner for the BBC in London, then gradually worked my way up through the system to become floor manager, then director, producer and executive producer,” he explains.

Having worked on shows as diverse as The Generation Game, Monty Python and Z-Cars, Ed decided to specialise and concentrate on children’s programming. He won a Bafta for Ipso Facto and an RTS Award for Children’s Ward before taking the lead production role in programmes such as Jackanory, Grange Hill and Jossy’s Giants. It was this series that brought Ed to Manchester, where he was eventually appointed Executive producer for BBC Children’s Entertainment.

After four years in that role, and another four at Granada, Ed was then asked to set up the BBC’s new children’s department in Glasgow, returning to the Northwest four years later to work for independent production companies, culminating in his role as producer of Byker Grove.

“I spent my formative years working in London and have worked across the country, so I know that what the Northwest has is special, and its talent is phenomenal,” says Ed.

The North West Vision talent database currently has hundreds of people registered on-line. But Ed is confident that figure will soon reach the thousands.

“London is still where the commissioners are, but a lot of the action now takes place in the Northwest,” he says. “Nevertheless, there is always the suspicion in London that maybe the regions don’t have the talent needed to produce the amount of programmes they want – but we do! And it’s part of my job to highlight that talent.”

In the last year, the Northwest has seen 478 productions produced in the region, facilitated and supported by North West Vision, who recorded 2,356 film days - a 29% increase compared to 2004/05 – and generating £51.5 million into the regional economy.

Manchester was the fastest growing sub-region for TV production in 2005/06 with a staggering 48% increase in the amount of film days, compared to 2004. And 2007 looks set to be even busier.

“It looks likely the BBC will move to Salford in 2010, so obviously there will be huge potential for even more people to work in the industry. That’s why it’s so important to start building up the talent, to make sure the crews are here to service all the shows when they’re needed.”


The North West Vision Talent Database (www.northwestvision.co.uk/crew.php4) is constantly being improved and updated, but Ed knows there’s still much work to be done. “I know there are lots of people who aren’t on the database, and I want to make sure they are in the future.

“It’s important we show the rest of the world the range of talent we have in the Northwest,” says Ed, who also has plans to show those listed how to market themselves more effectively to the people in the industry who make the decisions.

“Now that North West Vision is to merge with Media Training North West, there will be opportunities in the future to look at training needs, too. It’s a Catch 22 situation in the TV and film industry that people don’t get taken on because they don’t have the experience. But you need to work to get the experience. That’s why I want to showcase the new talent we have in the Northwest, and hopefully that will lead to them getting that all-important first break.”

With Ed acting as a surrogate father, supporting and showing them the way, there’s no doubt the region’s talent will benefit from his background, and bask in his optimistic vision of the future.

“The whole landscape of TV is so different these days, which is why companies and individuals have to be more adaptable. The pace of change is rapid, and everyone has to keep up with those changes,” cautions Ed. “At North West Vision, I like to think we’re doing just that.”

Edward Pugh