Wales-based factual indie, Wildflame Productions, has confirmed the appointment of Wiliam Gruffydd Edwards as its new Head of Production.
Edwards joins Wildflame directly from Outline Productions where he was Production Executive, managing all of Outline Productions’ output and business operations in South Wales and London. At Wildflame, Edwards will be responsible for overseeing Wildflame’s growing slate of productions, as well as overseeing company operations, supporting and developing Wildflame’s growing team and leading on inclusion and company welfare.
Prior to leading Outline Productions’ output, he was Head of Production at Boomerang, working across factual, factual entertainment, sports and sports entertainment programming, managing both the day-to-day business and the long-term planning of the company’s output. Prior roles include Head of Production at Atlantic Productions, Head of Production at Wild Dream Films and in-house roles at the BBC. He has also provided freelance production management and producer services to a range of indies. Across his career his credits include: (as Production Executive) Sarah Beeny versus Cancer, Sarah Beeny’s New Life in the Country (Channel 4) and Michel Roux Provence Masterclass (Discovery/Food); (as Head of Production) Big Zuu’s Big Eats (UKTV), Extreme Cake Makers(Channel 4), What Would Your Kid Do? (ITV) and That Paralympic Show (Channel 4); and (as Line Producer) Wonderful Wales with Michael Ball (Channel 5) and The Perfect Pitch (Channel 4).
Paul Islwyn Thomas, CEO, Wildflame Productions, says: “We are at a very exciting stage in our development. Wildflame has a huge amount of interest from the US, more productions than ever in the UK and a wealth of interest from distributors. In order to fulfill this potential, we recognise the need to further strengthen our senior team, so are delighted to welcome Wil and announce a range of other moves.
“Wil is one of the best Heads of Production in the business. He has an outstanding track record of managing production teams and his reputation as an inspirational and inclusive leader is matched by the respect in which he is held in the industry. That’s why he is such a fantastic addition to our senior team.”
Wil Edwards adds: “I’m thrilled to be joining Wildflame at this stage of the company’s journey and look forward to working with Paul and the wider team on the exciting projects being planned for the future.”
Wildflame has also promoted Rebecca Merry to the new role of Production Manager, to work alongside Edwards. With over 15 years’ industry experience, Merry was formerly Senior Production Co-ordinator at Wildflame, having worked at the company since 2021.
Catrin Mair Jones has also been confirmed into the new role as Executive Producer, heading up Wildflame’s Welsh language output whilst also working across a broad range of UK commissions. Having started her career in the BBC, she has produced programmes for all the main UK channels and has worked previously with indies such as Endemol Shine and Raw TV.
Also promoted is Manon Alice Thomas, who moves up to Senior Production Co-ordinator & Executive Assistant. Following a stint at the Intertalent Rights Group, Manon became a Production Co-ordinator at Wildflame and has been with the company for three years.
Paul Islwyn Thomas, CEO, Wildflame Productions, adds: “Wildflame is committed to investing and nurturing talent so we are thrilled to be announcing these promotions alongside Wil and Catrin’s new appointments.”
Wildflame’s portfolio includes Sex, Me & Disability for S4C; Strictly Amy: Crohn’s & Me, the documentary following Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden, and BBC factual entertainment format Amy Dowden, Dare to Dance; One Man and His Island (BBC One); Yellowstone Supervolcano: American Doomsday (Discovery+ Original); Secrets of the Celtic Grave (Smithsonian Channel and S4C/Discovery); the BAFTA CYMRU Single Documentary winner Strictly Amy: Crohn’s and Me for BBC One and BBC Wales; 14-part series Evacuees/Efaciwis for S4C; Michael Ball’s Wonderful Wales (Channel 5); The Story of Welsh Art (BBC Two Wales and BBC Four); and the Grierson Award-shortlisted The 1900 Island (BBC One Wales/BBC Two).
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Jon Creamer
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