S4C announces mentors for Commercial Growth Fund
March 6, 2024
Welsh language broadcaster S4C has secured two industry leading mentors to work with companies that receive investment through its Commercial Growth Fund, which launched in September 2023. Nick Catliff and Stuart Baxter both have held high profile positions across the entertainment industry.
The mentors will work with the fund’s advisor Laura Franses, to identify and support high growth Welsh companies across TV, film, gaming and tech.
Baxter was most recently the President of International Distribution at Entertainment One, and was part of the senior Eone team that first sold the business, and subsequently helped Hasbro sell the business to Lionsgate. Prior to that he ran Sony Pictures’ content distribution business across Europe, the Middle East and Africa for 10 years. Before that he spent six years at Warner Bros leading their Corporate Development activities in EMEA.
Catliff was co-founder and Managing Director of Lion Television for 20 years which he successfully sold to All3Media. During his time at Lion the company created many successful shows including Homes under the Hammer, Horrible Histories, Britain from Above and Cash Cab. Catliff was co-Executive Producer on Netflix’s Alexander the Great which launched in January.
The Commercial Growth Fund provides funding in exchange for equity to Welsh companies which have high growth potential and are aligned with S4C’s aims. The fund will act as a catalyst for that growth and play a prominent role in harnessing the significant potential of the creative industries in Wales.
Baxter said: “The S4C Commercial Growth Fund is a great opportunity for companies that are eager to grow. I’m looking forward to working with these successful ventures and giving advice as they look to maximise their potential. There are plenty of opportunities in the industry for those innovative and creative companies that have something special to offer.”
Catliff commented: “Welsh companies have a strong track record when it comes to TV and Film and our aim is to ensure that those companies can achieve even more in future. As a mentor I’ll be looking to assist those businesses who are keen to grow and ensure that they benefit from my experience of the industry. This is a great chance for companies with ambition, to attract investment and advice.”
Franses added: “Nick and Stuart bring a huge amount of experience, advice and ideas for those companies involved with the fund. To have mentors with such strong and impressive backgrounds is a huge boost for the growth fund. The fund is committed to investing in Wales and Welsh talent and we are keen to hear from any interested companies.”