Alex Morris to Lead Barcroft Studios

Chief Creative Officer Alex Morris will take over the day-to-day running of the factual production company Barcroft Studios, as CEO Sam Barcroft and COO Caspar Norman depart.

Morris will also lead Future Studios, taking responsibility for the company’s new video center to capitalize on growing monetization opportunities in original video across its portfolio of media brands.

Barcroft and Norman have overseen the successful integration of the businesses since its acquisition in 2019 and will depart the business in December 2020.

John Farrar, Barcroft Studios’ creative director, will support Morris in his new expanded role, providing creative input to Future Studios while continuing to run the TV division and lead on projects for external clients including Channel 4, Discovery and Snapchat.

“This is a new era: Future Studios will redefine how we engage with our global audience,” said Claire MacLellan, COO of Future. “The integration of Barcroft’s unrivaled expertise in video into Future’s world-leading specialist brands will help us create never-before-seen experiences for our customers and enrich our brands in a way that will excite users and partners alike. Future Studios marks the next evolution in video at Future following our acquisition of Barcroft and we are thrilled by the talent and potential that comes with it.”

Morris said, “I’m excited to build on the strengths of both Barcroft and Future under this new structure. There is a huge opportunity to leverage the group’s substantial media brand portfolio in video and TV.”

Barcroft commented, ”Over the last 17 years I’ve assembled the U.K.’s best and brightest original video team. It’s been the most incredible adventure. It’s time for me to stand aside and cheer them on as they begin an exciting new chapter. A huge thank you to all those who were kind and supportive along the way. It’s finally time for me to buy you that drink!”