Makers of Channel Four’s hit show, A Place in the Sun, is celebrating the show’s 25th year anniversary by passing ownership of the company from the original founder shareholders to Freeform Productions Employee Trust Ltd.
Antoine Palmer and Ann Lavelle, the founders and current owners of Freeform Productions, will remain at the company to oversee the transition to a different type of production company which will be run for the benefit of its employees and freelancers. Michelle Heeley (Creative Director) and Linda Glendinning (Head of Production) join the Freeform Board as Directors.
A Place in the Sun celebrated 25 years on Channel Four this year. Over 1,200 episodes have been produced to date and the show has been recommissioned by Channel Four through to 2028. The show is sold into multiple territories across the world.
The company will be governed by an EOT Board operating alongside the existing company board.
Antoine Palmer said ‘We are delighted to pass the ownership of Freeform to its’ employees. We hope that, in due course, this will pioneer a new way of working in factual television in which everyone involved shares in the success of hit television programmes. I am sure that our brilliant employees and management will use this opportunity to help make Freeform even more successful.’
Ann Lavelle said “Making great TV is a team effort. We have been incredibly lucky to have worked with the most talented and best. Handing the company to the employees feels like a wonderful way to say, “thank you”. I know the team at Freeform will make this transition a brilliant success.’
Freeform Group’s newly launched production label: Double FTV, led by Creative Director Michelle Heeley will continue to operate alongside the Freeform ownership trust. Double FTV debut 15-part series “Jasmine Harman’s Renovation in the Sun,” has been a hit success for Channel Four. Coming in the new year is a 4-part prime-time Channel Five commission, Bomb Squad: Zero Hour.
Jon Creamer
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