Leadership Shakeup at October Films

LONDON/NEW YORK: October Films has added to its development and production teams in the U.K. and the U.S.

David Arrowsmith was tapped to become the head of U.K. development, while Josh Wilkins was appointed as the head of operations in the U.S. Jos Cushing, meanwhile, was elevated to the new role of head of factual in the U.K.

Arrowsmith will lead October Films’s U.K. development team, charged with growing the company’s U.K. slate and working closely with the managing director, Adam Bullmore, and the executive chairman, Denman Rooke. He will report to Matt Robins, the company’s creative director. Arrowsmith joins October Films from Channel 5, where he co-founded the broadcaster’s in-house development and production unit.

In his new post, Wilkins will primarily be based in the company’s New York office. He will report to Jane Manning, the director of production and operations. Wilkins will work alongside Matt Robins and the head of U.S. factual, Chris Muckle, on October’s U.S. slate. Prior to joining October Films, Wilkins worked at Discovery Communications.

As head of factual in the U.K., Cushing will oversee the company’s core productions for U.S. and international networks. Cushing will be based in London.

Rooke stated: “In the past year October has doubled its turnover for the second year running; doubled the number of hours it produced; and significantly increased both its U.K. and U.S. client base. This level of growth needs to be supported by talented senior executives, and we are fortunate to have attracted such able people to these three new roles. David and Jos are key to our strategy for growing our creative strength in our core U.K. market, and Josh brings a wealth of experience to our U.S. operations. We’re delighted to have David and Josh on board and to recognize the significant contribution Jos has made to our success over the last couple of years.”