HiddenLight has appointed Lydia Arding to the new role of Head of Production.
She joins HiddenLight directly from her role as Head of Production for Avalon’s factual division.
At HiddenLight, Arding will be responsible for overseeing the company’s growing slate of content for major US and UK broadcasters and platforms. She will report directly to COO, Claire Featherstone.
Claire Featherstone, COO, HiddenLight Productions, says: “The Head of Production role is critical in enabling us to fulfil our creative ambitions. Having worked with Lydia before, I know that she is one of the most outstanding production leads in the UK. She is not only exceptional in the management of all steps of the production process, she has a ‘people-first’ approach which sets her apart. Production management is the lifeblood of the production process – something I’m pleased to see the industry shining a light on – and Lydia will bring that expertise to HiddenLight as we build a world class studio.”
Arding’s production experience spans documentary and factual features, to entertainment, comedy, and podcasts. Promoted to Avalon’s Head of Factual Production in 2018, she joined the company as Production Executive in 2016. Managing all output across TV and audio for Avalon’s factual slate, she oversaw a number of popular returning series, including Russell Howard & Mum for Comedy Central and Sugar Free Farm for ITV, as well as Tinie Tempah’s recently-announced property show for Channel 4, Outrageous Extensions.
Prior to Avalon, Arding was Production Executive at Flame Television and Liberty Bell Productions, and Company Production Manager at Flame Television, where she oversaw production processes during the sale of the company to Avalon.
Lydia Arding says: “HiddenLight not only has one of the most exciting global visions in the industry, it stands out in its approach to championing production staff. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work on programming that can truly make a difference to people’s lives – both for those who view it and those who work in it. I’m delighted to be joining the team to help the company achieve its impressive ambitions.”
HiddenLight’s first project to air will be If I Could Tell You Just One Thing fronted by YouTube star Patricia Bright. This four-part series for YouTube Originals sees Patricia Bright in conversation with some of the world’s most inspirational women about the stories and experiences that have shaped their own lives. With guests including Dame Joan Collins, rapper Stefflon Don, Baroness Floella Benjamin and Ru Paul’s Drag Race star Michelle Visage and based on the bestselling book of the same name, If I Could Tell You Just One Thing premieres on 9 September. The company is also in production with a number of other projects including Gutsy Women, a straight-to-series order for Apple TV+, hosted by Hillary Clinton and Chelsea Clinton and inspired by their best-selling book, The Book of Gutsy Women: Favorite Stories of Courage and Resilience.
Arding is HiddenLight’s second senior appointment, following Siobhan Sinnerton who was appointed as Creative Director & SVP Unscripted in February. Arding takes up her role immediately.
Jon Creamer
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