An Award Winning Team

  • 2004 RTS West Region Winner for Best Regional Documentary
  • 2003 Nominated for RTS Best Independent & Best Factual Programme
  • 2002 RTS Education TV Award winner
  • 2001 Broadcast Award finalist
  • 1997 RTS Educational TV Award winner
  • 1997 British TV Advertising Award winner
  • 1996 Canadian Travel Awards – Best TV
  • 1994 Indy Award for Best Factual
  • 1991 Bronze Rose at Montreux

Martin Head, Managing DirectorClick for more info

Big Umbrella Media is led by Martin Head who has 25 years experience in the broadcast and media industry, producing and directing award winning television all around the world.

He has recently produced and directed a 10 part series for ITV Digital, Britain Behaving Badly and Executive Produced projects for Channel 4 (their returning series for young Deaf people VEE-TV), BBC3 (Little Dream) and BBC4 (Ways of Hearing).

He produced and directed the Channel 4 documentary Blind Man’s Buff that won the RTS Education Award for best single adult education programme, was made Pick of the Day in everything from Heat Magazine to The Guardian and was one of C4’s ‘One Hundred TV Treats of 2001’.

The follow up Wheelchair Challenge with a 3m audience is the highest rated programme about disability ever on Channel 4 and is mentioned in the C4 Annual report as attracting a “hurricane of praise”. In 2003 it was nominated for two RTS Awards as best Independent Programme and best Factual Programme.

Martin was previously the Creative and Managing Director of Birmingham based Maverick Television and Creative Director of Milestone Pictures and has worked for many other UK leading independents. Click here for further credit list.

Sarah Greene, Head of ProductionClick for more info

Having been a Production Manager for more than 15 years Sarah has managed productions and teams for many of the UK’s leading independents.

She has wide-ranging knowledge and understanding of production along with a keen insight into what commissioners and viewers are looking for. Her career to date has encompassed productions from perennial favourites such as Gardeners’ World for the BBC via live studio for Channel 4 through to children’s CGI animation shows for the ITV Network.

As Head of Production Sarah adds to her production roles a key senior management position within the Company.

Claire Campbell, Head of DevelopmentClick for more info

Claire heads our broadcast programme development department with over 15 years experience in the media. From the BBC’s Good Morning with Anne and Nick, The Clothes Show and DIY SOS, to Channel 4’s Pet Rescue and Home from Home and ITV’s First Dance, Claire’s credits demonstrate a broad background in both peak and daytime shows for many of the UK's broadcasters.

She produces highly creative, informative and entertaining programmes; generally on a tight budget and with an extremely fast turnaround and now as part of the senior management of Big Umbrella is our key link to commissioners and runs our development team.

Susan McDermott, Executive ProducerClick for more info

Executive Producer and company co-founder Susan McDermott is a highly experienced producer and director who has worked for every terrestrial channel on a broad range of programmes.

She was Series Producer of three series of the BBC’s award winning Bargain Hunt and two series of the animal/owner behaviourist series Barking Mad. Other producer/director credits include ITV’s This Morning, The Good Sex Guide and Wish You Were Here? and the BBC’s City Hospital. Susan has series produced and directed programmes on many sensitive television projects covering serious health topics from the death of children to intimate sexual problems.

She has also directed popular travel programmes, corporate videos and worked in news and current affairs.

Bim Ajadi, Editor/Graphic DesignerClick for more info

Bim Ajadi is a non-linear editor, graphic designer and digital film-maker. A multi-skilled creative with visual flair who has edited offline and online for Channel 4 and several charity sector videos for Big Umbrella.

His credits include Namibia Challenge - CH4 (online), 03 and me - CH4 (offline), VeeTV - CH4 (offline insert editor, opening titles and stings). Other credits include RNID videos, SKYE - BDA (British Deaf Association award winner short film -Director and offline editor), and several deaf pop videos. Bim's software skills include AVID, DV Express, Final Cut Pro, After Effects and Macromedia Director. He was named by Broadcast Magazine as a young media "hot-shot" and one to watch!

Bim has recently won a Best Short Film Award in the Deaf Oscars for the film SKYE, which he directed. It also won the Best International Deaf Film Award when it was shown at a Film Festival in Belgium.

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