Mindhouse Productions Promotes Sophie Ardern

Mindhouse Productions has given Sophie Ardern, director of production, a stake in the company, promoting her to co-owner.

Ardern has been with Mindhouse since its launch three years ago, having joined from October Films, where she worked across a slate of projects for Prime Video, BBC, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Discovery. She has also worked in head of production and production executive roles for The Ideas Room, Fresh One and Platform Productions.

The appointment sees Ardern become co-owner and Company Director of Mindhouse, joining existing company directors Louis Theroux, Nancy Strang and Arron Fellows.

Ardern said: “Working with Nancy, Louis and Arron for the past three years has been a joy. Their energy and creativity are infectious; we make a great team, and I look forward to growing the company with them.”

Strang said: “Making Sophie a partner in Mindhouse was a no-brainer. She’s a phenomenal director of production, a brilliant colleague and has been a crucial part of establishing and growing the company from the start. I’m delighted we’re finally able to formally recognize her contribution.”

Theroux said: “Just like a table, Mindhouse has four legs, of which Sophie is one. I realize some tables have three legs, but Mindhouse is not that kind of table. She is an indispensable part of the team, a terrific collaborator, a pleasure to be alongside in the trenches and a key reason why Mindhouse works as well as it does. It’s only natural she should own part of the company.”

Additionally, Kate Pumfrey has joined Mindhouse as head of development, having previously worked for Twenty Twenty, Love Productions, MultiStory Media and Crackit Productions.

Pumfrey said: “I have long admired the talented team at Mindhouse and their thought-provoking, innovative and entertaining brand of unscripted shows. I’m thrilled to be joining the company in developing the next wave of premium documentaries and popular factual programming.”