Nutopia, the documentary and reality production company founded by Jane Root, Laura Franses, Michael Jackson and Peter Bazalgette, has significantly expanded its senior management team.
Nutopia's recent productions include Rogue Sharks for Discovery and Targeting BinLaden for History(US). Reflecting the company's increase in major commissions as it moves into its next stage of growth, Nutopia has made a range of new hires across its production and operations teams. 

Nick Metcalfe, formerly a senior member of the Darlow Smithson creative team, joins as executive producer, overseeing Nutopia's epic five-part series How We Invented the World.
Working with Nick on this Discovery Networks International commission will be Josh Wilkins. Currently series line producer on a major Nutopia project for the History Channel in the US, Josh takes on the additional role of deputy head of production responsible for the company’s large scale projects.
Also joining the Nutopia team is factual programming specialist Fiona Scott, who takes the position of head of development.

In addition, Nutopia has appointed Harvey Shackleton, previously director of finance, non fiction at ITV Studios, as chief financial officer; whilst Rupert Frisby, previously commercial director at talkbackTHAMES, joins as legal and business affairs consultant.

Jane Root commented: “Since we launched Nutopia two years ago, our business has grown at an exciting pace and we are delighted to expand our team with these new senior level appointments. All bring fantastic experience in the development and production of pioneering and ambitious projects and their knowledge and expertise will be invaluable as we continue to realize our goal of creating ground-breaking content for global audiences.”
 

Most recently a member of the senior creative team at Darlow Smithson, Nick Metcalfe's previous credits include Richard Hammond’s Engineering Disasters for BBC and NGCI and Seconds From Disaster for NGCI. Previously Nick was a freelance series producer and director working on output for UK and US broadcasters, from Time Team to Discovery Atlas.


Josh Wilkins joined Nutopia over the summer to work on a major project for the History Channel in the US. After producing specialist factual television in the US, Josh spent four years overseeing big budget, multi-series drama at Darlow Smithson and Blast Films, including The Queen for Channel 4.
A factual programme maker for more than ten years, Fiona Scott has previously worked at Icon Films, Darlow Smithson and the BBC, with recent development credits including Rome Wasn't Built in a Day for Channel 4 and Atlantis: End of a World, Birth of a Legend for BBC1. 
 

At ITV Studios, Harvey Shackleton oversaw a large factual and entertainment slate including Dancing on Ice, Come Dine With Me and Tonight. Previously financial controller for ITV Worldwide overseeing production offices in the US, Australia and Germany and head of finance for the English National Opera, Harvey Shackleton started his media career at BBC Worldwide and Granada Productions.

Previously commercial director at talkbackThames, where he led deal negotiation and content exploitation, Rupert Frisby also gained more than seven years board level experience at the company.Currently running his own consultancy specializing in commercial advice to companies across the media sector, he joins Nutopia to run their commercial and business affairs.


