Global law firm Reed Smith acted for start-up independent production company, Spelthorne Community Television, set up by Sacha Baron Cohen and former Objective Productions chief executive, Andrew Newman, in its partnership with Channel 4.

Spelthorne Community Television is the ninth of Channel 4’s Growth Fund investments, but the first time it has invested in a start-up with global talent. Reed Smith also advised on Channel 4’s eight other Growth Fund investments and has a long-standing relationship with the business.

Reed Smith Entertainment and Media Group partner Nick Swimer was supported by consultants Jeremy Glover (executive pay) and Ian Fagelson (corporate); and associates Ben Wulwik (finance) and Oliver Harker (corporate).

Reed Smith partner Nick Swimer commented:

“It’s fantastic to have been able to harness our relationships to broker this very exciting deal – Reed Smith’s history of working with major talent and investors in the entertainment space meant that we were the natural choice.”

Corporate partner Carlton Durrant at Fisher Waterhouse advised Channel 4 on the deal.

ENDS

Note to editors:

About Reed Smith

Reed Smith is a global relationship law firm, with more than 1,800 lawyers in 26 offices throughout Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the United States.

For further information, please visit www.reedsmith.com or contact Annabelle Price (senior corporate communications executive EME) on +44 (0)20 3116 3787.

About the Channel 4 Growth Fund

Channel 4’s £20m Growth Fund, headed up by Laura Franses, was launched in 2014 to support the UK independent production sector outside of the normal commissioning cycle by providing access to funding for creative companies with a clear trajectory for growth.

Following this investment the corporation has a varied portfolio of nine UK based independent productions companies including Arrow International Media, Eleven Film, Lightbox Media, Popkorn Media, Renowned Films, True North Productions, Voltage TV Productions and sports indie Whisper Films.