An experienced senior manager within the creative industries, I have a track record of turning ideas into reality from both the public and private sector. Combining business credibility, commercial acumen and extensive experience, I am able to recognise potential and drive targeted strategies in order to achieve desired objectives – effectively managing teams or partners to deliver results. With excellent written and verbal communication skills, I am comfortable leading, presenting and negotiating at the highest levels – whether local, national or international.
Career History
3/10 > Mark Leaver Consulting Ltd – Director
An independent consultancy providing a range of services, from strategy and policy development to international project delivery. At its core Mark Leaver Consulting concentrates on the innovative combination of creative and digital technologies and the commercial potential offered to the UK creative industries across a globalised media economy.
Current clients include:
- Department for International Trade – as Creative & Digital Adviser on international inward investment to the UK market,
- West of England Combined Authority – advising their Creative Industries strategy and supporting regional growth via Invest Bristol + Bath,
- Global Partners – development of an international innovation programme matching global corporations and UK SME’s in collaborative R&D,
- other short term assignments for clients including UWE, University of Bristol, Watershed and Innovate UK.
3/15 > 10/17 Playable City – Development Director
Watershed, 1 Canons Rd, Bristol BS1 5TX
Playable City is a global initiative that transforms the city into a place of unexpected interaction. And in doing so creates a conversation about our smart cities, and smart citizens, of the future. Playable City has quickly expanded its reach into cities across five continents – my role was in the development of the concept, the creation of a product framework and its ongoing successful expansion to multiple cities across the globe. Now active in 15 cities with a focus in Tokyo ahead of 2020.
1/05 > 3/10 South West Screen – Director of Development
St Bartholomews Ct, Lewins Mead, Bristol BS1 5BT
South West Screen was the development agency for the creative and media industries in the South West of England. My position directly managed project delivery and fundraising activity within the agency, and was responsible for the growth and strategic development of the business. Under my direction this development increasingly focused on digital innovation and international expansion.
9/03 > 1/05 Independent Consultant
Consultancy roles concentrated on the development of new products to market and the restructure of existing services using digital technologies. Projects included the branding and launch of niche DVD training products; software development for the commercials production sector; and the re-launch of a significant royalty free stock footage library.
9/01 > 9/03 Granada Visual – Head of Sales & Marketing
48 Leicester Square, London WC2H 7FB
Granada was the UK’s largest independent TV producer (now part of ITV plc). I was brought in at the inception of a business plan to combine all archive sales functions within the group, with the goal of creating an entirely new, single commercial identity and delivering a step change in the exploitation of the Granada catalogue. Successfully re-structured, re-branded and re-launched, Granada Visual achieved a 60% increase in sales prior to a subsequent merger with ITN Archive.
11/00 > 6/01 clipsalesnow.com – General Manager
Glen House, 22 Glenthorne Rd, London W6 0NG
clipsalesnow.com was a revolutionary idea to provide a digital platform for content unexploited by the UK’s independent TV production sector. One of the key developers of the concept, I assumed the role of General Manager of the new venture at start-up, personally responsible for building both website and business structure and designing and marketing the brand. After a successful launch clipsalesnow.com quickly achieved early growth and a high level of brand recognition within its target market. The business model developed is now standard practice across the content sales market.
9/91 > 11/00 Tele-Cine – Head of Sales & Marketing
48 Charlotte Street, London W1P 1LX
Tele-Cine was one of the UK’s largest post production companies with a track record of expansion through business development. I was approached to establish a department dedicated to servicing the needs of the music industry. As the company grew my range of responsibilities spread across all aspects of the business, including the diversification into digital media and communications.
6/89 > 8/91 Post Production, Soho – various
Education
10/85 > 7/88 Exeter University, Exeter, Devon
BA DEGREE with Honours in POLITICS
10/78 > 7/85 Orange Hill Junior / Senior High School, London NW7
‘A’ LEVELS – 3
‘O’ LEVELS – 9
Interests
News and Current Affairs, Contemporary Art, Music
(Referees and client testimonial available upon request)
mark leaver 