Parade Media Taps Former BBC Exec for Board

U.K.-based Parade Media has appointed industry veteran Debbie Manners to its board of directors.

Manners takes up the role through Station12 as part of the advisory and investment firm’s ongoing support for the business. Before joining Parade Media, Debbie held the roles of chief executive officer of Keo Films, BBC Studios, COO of Hat Trick Productions, commercial director of RDF Media and director of rights of Flextech TV.

Manners started her career at the BBC and spent 17 years working there in a number of commercial and business roles and latterly held the position of director of rights and business affairs, responsible for all the BBC’s external business relationships, including independent commissioning, on-screen talent, archive and commercial exploitation across TV, radio, digital and film.

From 2010 to 2015, Manners was the chair of PACT, the trade body for independent film and TV producers in the U.K.

Matthew Ashcroft, CEO of Parade Media, said, “The depth and breadth of Debbie’s experience and reputation are second to none, and the short time we have worked together it’s clear that we are a fantastic cultural fit, and aligned in our objective to grow the business through key partnerships.”

Manners added, “I’m delighted to be joining Parade’s board at a time of rapid growth for the company. Although there is undoubtedly tough competition in the market as the super indies get ever bigger, I believe Parade offers a highly proactive and effective alternative for independent producers looking to maximize the international value of their IP.”