The Gate Films have been bought over in a Management Buy out.
The award winning Edinburgh based commercial production company has been telling stories with TV commercials, online content and short films in the last twenty years and now the current management team are taking over from existing owners, Sarah Harvis and Simon Lewis.
Serena Fylan (30) will become managing director having been involved in the company since doing work experience there while applying for a place at university. She joined the company after her degree as Head of Production and has a deal of experience in making high end commercials, short films and pop promos.
Serena said: “This is an exciting time for The Gate as our sustained creative growth has allowed us to attract great scripts from many new and established agencies across the UK and Ireland. Creating and delivering inspiring and award-winning content has been the core of our business for twenty years and now under my stewardship we aim to do more than ever before. My focus is very much about finding great directors and film makers to be able to offer a great range of talent to the agencies and their brands, who we work with across the UK. We have the breadth of expertise and flexibility that means we are equally at home producing a five-day international shoot as we are making table-top content in a small studio.
Formed in 1996, The Gate has enjoyed significant growth with a £6million turnover in the last financial year, and has offices in Edinburgh, Manchester, London and Cape Town. The company employs 20 full time staff (across three UK sites) as well as a roster of highly-skilled freelancers.
Serena continued: “In a time of buoyancy for our sector, I feel Manchester is becoming a new hub for creatives to operate. We are working with more North West business year on year and I hope to continue to showcase what creative and directing talent lies in our city.”
Simon Lewis, Outgoing CEO added: “Serena has the right drive, ambition, dedication and talent to continue to push The Gate on its exciting journey which was started twenty years ago by Sarah and I. Alongside the rest of the management team, Serena will ensure the way in which the company operates and the high level of service its agencies receive will remain the same, and the level of talent available to those agencies will continue to grow. The MBO was the correct route for the business, and most importantly the team, who have been a huge part of this company’s incredible growth and success.”
The Gate Films will be moving to new premises in central Manchester and launching a new website. Serena adds: “With the company under new control it is important to make a statement of intent and we feel that by moving from the groups HQ into our own independent space we can focus solely on pushing our own offering forwards. We’re excited about the launch of our new website which will include some exciting new talent”
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
