28 September 2023
S4C Digital Media Limited has appointed Laura Franses as Advisor to the Commercial Growth Fund.
This new fund, launches from October, as part of S4C's commercial strategy and will provide funding in exchange for equity to Welsh companies which have high growth potential and are aligned with S4C's aims.
This offers investment monies to boost Welsh creative businesses and brings Wales to the World.
Laura is one of the most pre-eminent investors and commercial strategists in the TV and digital sector with experience spanning executive roles at Channel 4, ITV, Nutopia Ltd, and Zodiak. She set up and ran the highly successful Channel Four Growth Fund resulting in a portfolio of 13 investments of which 7 companies sold including Eleven Films (creators of Sex Education), Whisper Films (sports producers sold to Sony), True North (sold to Sky) and Voltage (sold to BBC Studios).
She joins most recently from ITV where she worked on the launch of the digital platform ITVX.
Laura says:
"I'm delighted to join S4C as an advisor and turbo charge the newly created Growth Fund.
"Wales is gaining significant traction on the international stage, and I am looking forward to building on that.
"S4C brings Welsh programming to global audiences, working with Ryan Reynolds and Maximum Effort Channel to launch Welsh Wednesdays in the US, co-producing Channel Four's top-rated drama The Light in the Hall, and selling Welsh language drama Dal y Mellt / Rough Cut to Netflix."
Laura will be working alongside the Commercial Team, Chief Finance Officer Sharon Winogorski,Chief Operating Officer Elin Morris, Chief Content Officer Llinos Griffin-Williams and S4C Chief Executive Sian Doyle.
Sian Doyle says:
"Laura's appointment is a great boost to S4C and the Commercial Growth Fund.
"She has a huge amount of talent, creativity and experience that will help us maximize the impact of the fund.
"S4C are committed to investing in Wales and Welsh talent."
The fund will launch officially in the coming months with full details of what it offers and how to apply.
To learn more about the Commercial Growth Fund and explore potential collaborations, please contact laura.franses@s4c.cymru
