Channel 4’s Indie Growth Fund Takes Stake in Salamanda

The Manchester-based indie Salamanda Media has received investment from Channel 4’s Indie Growth Fund.

Led by Sally Evans and Amanda De Freitas, Salamanda has developed and delivered shows for the BBC, ITV and Channel 4.

Evans has for over a decade executive produced a raft of talent-led factual and factual-entertainment shows, including Gino’s Italian Express, Fierce With Steve Backshall, Coastal Lives With Robson Green and the Michael Apted series 63Up. Original commissions include Last Laugh in Vegas, Absolutely India: Mancs to Mumbai and Embarrassing Pets.

De Freitas is an accomplished series producer and former BBC Studios development executive. She has worked on entertainment shows such as I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s I’d Do Anything and Somewhere Over The Rainbow, All Star Family Fortunes, Dancing on Ice, Coach Trip and The National Lottery Jet Set.

Caroline Murphy, head of Channel 4’s Indie Growth Fund, said: “Salamanda Media is a really exciting new company run by two fantastically creative women who have an incredible wealth of experience in delivering top quality content.

“Having started Salamanda Media during the pandemic, Amanda and Sally are already working on some very exciting projects and have won two commissions.  I’m delighted they’ve joined the Indie Growth Fund’s portfolio of dynamic companies.”

Evans said: “When the odds really should have been against us, we’ve accomplished an extraordinary first year and we’re now absolutely thrilled to be joining the Channel 4 Growth Fund. With their backing and support, I’m excited to see just how high Salamanda Media can fly!”

De Freitas said: “I’m incredibly excited about the opportunity to work with the Channel 4 Growth Fund alongside such immense industry talent. As a young Northern company, the opportunity for us to expand whilst continuing to create the shows that we love with their full support and guidance is a dream come true!”