James Garrett

Since Dec 2014 James has been MD of Clearview Productions, a UK-based independent production company. In 2016 he has made two films for the Russell Group of leading UK universities, for whom he also made five films in 2015. The previous film for the Russell Group, delivered in November, showcased the benefits to the UK economy of the vast amount of cutting-edge research carried out in its 24 member institutions. It was shown to MPs at the Houses of Parliament before being uploaded to russellgroup. Between 2009 and the present James has also worked as a freelance executive producer, working with a number of indies to deliver high-quality programming to a range of broadcasters, including BBC1 (Panorama), BBC4, BBC Wales, UKTV & Discovery. Between 2011-2014 he was MD of another indie, Bridge Films. It made a 3 x 60 documentary series, Britain on the Fiddle, for the BBC. Episode 1 was shortlisted in the Best Current Affairs category at the 2014 Grierson Documentary Awards. Editor Jason Porthouse was also nominated for Best Editor by the Bristol RTS. The first two episodes were BBC1's best-rating docs for months, attracting audiences of well over 4 million in Nov 2013. Ep 3 is still waiting to be transmitted following a related trial. Between Dec 1994-Dec 2008 James was employed by HTV West, initially as a current affairs producer and, from Jan 2002-Dec 2008, as Head of Regional Programmes. He led the in-house production teams and managed the company's relationship with independent producers during an unsettling time of major change in commercial public service broadcasting. He won many commissions from other broadcasters, including output deals with Channel 4 News and Teachers TV. He assisted staffers to make the transition to freelance or independent status and also managed a declining programme budget, augmenting it through sales & co- productions. 1986-1994: Freelance reporter and producer for the BBC (Radio Bristol, Points West, West On Two & Westminster South & West). 1983-1986: Sub-editor and newsreader, Swiss Radio International (external service of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation).