Creative UK Announces the 2025 Cohort for Female Founders Programme, Sponsored by British Business Bank

A New Wave of Female-Led Production Companies, Games Studios and Media Businesses Joins Creative UK’s Transformative Six-Month Programme 

Today, Wednesday 26th Feburary – Creative UK is thrilled to announce the launch of the 2025 cohort for the Female Founders Programme, designed to support and empower female entrepreneurs in the screen industries. This year, the programme is proud to welcome British Business Bank as its official sponsor, further strengthening its mission to equip female-led businesses with the tools, confidence, and networks needed to thrive. 

The Female Founders Programme is part of Creative Enterprise, a business support initiative supported by the British Film Insitute with funding from the National Lottery. The programme offers a powerful combination of expert-led workshops, one-on-one mentoring, and peer support, tailored for women leading businesses in film, TV, gaming, immersive media, animation, and creative technology (createch). Through expert mentorship, strategic advice, and valuable industry connections, the programme provides female founders with a transformative opportunity to scale and sustain their ventures.  

Introducing the 2025 Female Founders Cohort 

This year’s cohort features a dynamic and diverse group of female entrepreneurs leading some of the most innovative businesses across the screen industries. From trailblazing production companies to innovative gaming studios and visionary media companies, these female founders are redefining the future of the creative industries. 

The 2025 Female Founders Cohort are:  

Ali Quirk & Nav Raman, Chatterbox Media: a female led independent production company that produces the hit series Extraordinary Portraits Series 1 – 4, Meet The Khans and Charlotte in Sunderland 

Chatterbox is a BAFTA winning indie and our mission is to disrupt and entertain. To change the stories, we change the story tellers – creating beautifully crafted, popular factual content that makes you think. We are a creatively dynamic, female-led outfit that aims to give voice to the many stories that remain untold and disrupt the familiar narratives by changing the lens through which we see these stories and the talent we work with. We don’t want to make niche content, we make bold, surprising & entertaining content.

Anne-Marie Batson – AmberGlass Presents: a media company with focus on sports broadcasting that brings fans closer to the action with dynamic and engaging content like ‘We are the Unacclaimed’ and the Tennis Black List.

AmberGlass Presents, founded in 2019 by Anne-Marie Batson, is a trailblazing media company breaking boundaries and redefining industry standards. Through its three distinctive pillars, Anne-Marie envisions a world where boldness is celebrated, authenticity is valued and resilience is rewarded. AmberGlass Presents delivers impact through: sports broadcasting that brings fans closer to the action with dynamic and engaging content; ‘We are the Unacclaimed’, which champions untold stories of underrepresented heroes in cultural history on screen; and the Tennis Black List, a pioneering platform celebrating Black and mixed Black heritage individuals in tennis globally.

Becky Rooney – Rooscreen: a Midlands based production company working with emerging and established talent with a nomination for Royal Television Society awards.   

Rooscreen is a Midlands based production company working with emerging and established talent to make authentic, narrative films for a range of platforms. Our content informs, educates, entertains and gives marginalised voices the opportunity to tell their stories with honesty, sensitivity and humour. Our work has been nominated for awards including the Royal Television Society and has enjoyed festival successes both at home and abroad. You can see more on our website: www.rooscreen.co.uk.

Becky Palmer & Olivia Dickinson – Playtest Games: game testing company specialising in games for children aged 14 and under.

Playtest Games was set up to help games companies test their games and we specialise in testing with children aged 14 and under.
Between the two co-founders, we’ve worked in children’s media for over 40 years on multiple brands as games testers and commissioners. All game testing is done in children’s own homes, which ensures authenticity of the gaming experience and a more relaxed and familiar environment. Having produced and tested many games for children we are uniquely placed to give tips for making games for different age ranges. We have spent years watching children engaging in digital games and this provides us with knowledge for what’s age appropriate and what level of ability we can expect in gamers of different ages and stages.

Clare-Louise English & Jo Sargeant – Hot Coals Productions:  an award-winning production company specialising in making work accessible to both Deaf and hearing audiences 

Hot Coals Productions are an award-winning production company making compelling stories in film and TV. They specialise in making work accessible to both Deaf and hearing audiences, strive to break down barriers and challenge conventional Access methods and elevate DDN-led stories and talent in front and behind the camera. Founded in 2012 by RADA graduates Clare-Louise English Deaf writer/director and Jo Sargeant a neuro-diverse writer/producer, they were behind the ground-breaking About Time event at BAFTA an anarchic evening of performance celebrating Deaf and disabled talent.and currently have a comedy in paid development with ITV.

Elettra Pizzi – 130 Elektra Films: a production company with strong focus on stories hooked on true facts, which put humans under a microscope and expose their most fascinating quirks with their most recent success, Good Boy, being shortlisted for an Academy Award 

130 Elektra Films produces stories hooked on true facts, which put humans under a microscope and expose their most fascinating quirks. Its most recent success, Good Boy, starring Ben Whishaw and Exec Produced by Emma Thompson, was shortlisted for an Academy Award in 2024 and launched on Disney+. Pushing boundaries of creative excellence, the company received support from BFI, Arts Council England, Ffilm Cymru and received recognition by Venice Biennale, BFI Flare, and Sundance London. With a vibrant slate of feature films it champions creative innovation and challenges the status quo for a more sustainable industry for its workforce.

Emily Morgan – Quiddity: a critically acclaimed UK production company, with a slate of diverse film and TV projects including the award-winning I AM NOT A WITCH 

Quiddity is a critically acclaimed UK production company, founded by BAFTA-winning producer, Emily Morgan, with a slate of diverse film and TV projects with partners all over the world. Following 2017’s award-winning I AM NOT A WITCH, Quiddity has produced MAKE UP, SUPERNOVA, THE SETTLERS, SWIMMING HOME, DREAMERS and BUTTERFLY. Quiddity is supported by the BBC Small Indie Fund, a UK Global Screen Fund Business Development Award and a strategic investment from The Lift in Mexico.

Emma Grazette – Raucous Pictures:  an emerging production company specialising in bold, diverse storytelling through international co-productions with recent projects including the BBC Film-supported “Little Isis” and the international co-production “The Birthday Party”.  

Raucous Pictures is an emerging production company specialising in bold, diverse storytelling through international co-productions. Co-directed by producers Kurban Kassam and Emma Grazette, the company develops and produces high-quality feature films and television projects with global appeal. With a slate spanning multiple genres, Raucous Pictures is committed to collaborating with world-class talent and fostering underrepresented voices. Recent projects include the BBC Film-supported “Little Isis” and the international co-production “The Birthday Party”, featuring Willem Dafoe. Raucous Pictures is dedicated to creating commercially viable, globally resonant content while expanding its reach across international markets.

Katy Raffin – Telling Tales Productions: an independent TV production company specialising in telling stories with emotion, humanity and humour including four years of films for Soccer Aid for UNICEF and C4’s Stand Up to Cancer 

Telling Tales Productions is an independent TV production company specialising in telling stories with emotion, humanity and humour. The team have a background in TV production and a wealth of experience making films for charitable causes as well as documentaries, factual entertainment, live shows and events: working with high profile talent in the UK and all over the world. Since being founded in 2020, credits have included four years of films for Soccer Aid for UNICEF, C4’s Stand Up to Cancer and projects for clients including Cancer Research UK, PLAN, The National Emergencies Trust and the Elton John Aids Foundation.

Lou Kneath – PLUS3K LIMITED:  a multi-award-winning animation studio serving broadcasters and brands worldwide; recently completing two seasons of My Friend Misty for SkyKids, executive produced by Fearne Cotton.

+3K is a multi-award winning animation studio serving broadcasters and brands worldwide. The studio most recently completed two seasons of My Friend Misty for SkyKids, executive produced by Fearne Cotton. Passionate about developing spell-binding, character-driven storytelling for a global audience, +3K places key investment in the development of original IP, and actively creates animation industry opportunities in Cumbria, UK. The studio’s first animated short film, The Fell We Climb (in partnership with Anti Racist Cumbria) won multiple international awards and has been selected for the BFI National Archive.

Nicola Sands – Applehead Media: a dynamic media company with a mission to empower brands by harnessing the power of video storytelling and tailored content strategies that resonate with modern audiences. 

Applehead Media is a dynamic media company dedicated to transforming brand outcomes through innovative video storytelling and strategic content development. Founded by professionals from the television industry, the company has pivoted to digital production in response to the evolving media landscape and the increasing demand for engaging online content.
Leveraging their extensive network of industry contacts, Applehead Media combines creative expertise with a deep understanding of audience engagement, helping businesses navigate the streaming and on-demand generation effectively.
The company mission is to empower brands by harnessing the power of video storytelling and tailored content strategies that resonate with modern audiences.

Sivan Raphaely – ODDHOUND Productions: a female-led independent film and TV company based in England and South Africa, developing and producing original IP spanning all genres.  

ODDHOUND Productions is a female-led independent film and TV company based in England and South Africa, co-founded by long-time friends, Sivan Raphaely and Aurelie Stratton. With over 20 years’ experience as actors, writers, directors, educators and producers across film, TV and theatre, we develop and produce original IP spanning all genres. Our projects have been funded by the BFI Network, UK National Lottery, KZN Film Commission and PESP. We champion creatives of all ages coming through untraditional routes, aiming to create pathways into credited professional roles on our animated and live action series, features and shorts. These exceptional entrepreneurs will benefit from a six-month programme featuring tailored business mentoring, access to industry expertise, and a collaborative peer network, ensuring they have the support they need to take their businesses to the next level. 

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Sarah Jones, Project Manager for the Female Founders Programme, said:
“We are delighted to launch the 2025 cohort with the invaluable support of British Business Bank. This partnership allows us to extend our impact, providing female entrepreneurs with the skills, resources, and connections needed to drive their businesses forward. The Female Founders Programme is more than just business support—it’s a community dedicated to fostering growth, confidence, and long-term success for women in the screen industries.” 

Caroline Norbury OBE, CEO at Creative UK, said:
“At Creative UK, we believe that diverse leadership is essential to the strength and sustainability of the creative industries. Running business support programmes like Female Founders is crucial—not only to level the playing field but to unlock the full potential of creative entrepreneurs who are driving innovation and growth across the sector. By continuing to invest in new female talent, we can build a more inclusive, resilient, and dynamic industry that reflects the creativity and ambition of those within it.” 

Warren Ralls, UK Network Managing Director at the British Business Bank, said:

“The British Business Bank is supporting the Creative UK 2025 Female Founders Programme because we know that female entrepreneurs in the creative industries face additional barriers when it comes to accessing the finance they need to grow and scale their businesses. Programmes such as this are key to providing the support which helps to overcome these barriers and ensuring that female led businesses have the opportunity to thrive.”

 

The Female Founders Programme is poised to help these entrepreneurs unlock new opportunities and reach their full potential. With the backing of British Business Bank and the support of Creative UK, we are excited to witness their growth and the impact they will have on the future of the screen industries. 

 

Notes to Editors 

About Creative UK: Creative UK is the national membership body for the Cultural and Creative Industries.  We exist to champion creativity in its widest form – representing world-leading organisations from sectors as diverse as advertising, animation, architecture, broadcasting, crafts, design, digital, education, fashion, games, heritage, museums, music, performing arts, photography, publishing, theatre, TV, visual art and more. 

 We are an independent not-for-profit, which uses the insight and experience of our members to help shape relevant government policy and advocate for meaningful change. Change that will benefit UK businesses, citizens and communities.  

Our vision is a world where creativity is valued and recognised as the driving force for our future. We’re so passionate about this that we put our money where our mouth is: through own landmark investment funds, we’ve directly invested millions of pounds into creative businesses over the last decade. 

Our team is based across the UK, and we work closely with Local and Combined Authorities to support creative talent, whilst delivering hands-on support – spanning business diagnostics, mentoring and investment readiness.    

Our Filming in England service is a dedicated and bespoke production service to feature film and high-end TV productions looking to film in England, outside of London. 

 

About Creative Enterprise: Creative Enterprise is a support arm of Creative UK. Creative Enterprise is a bespoke set of initiatives for ambitious screen businesses to access connections, training and networks to achieve business growth, and has been developed with National Lottery funding from the BFI to increase the sustainability of the moving image sector in England. 

Our goal is to give film & TV, games, immersive, animation and creative tech companies a disproportionate advantage in the industry. Working closely with our partners at the BFI, Creative Enterprise has been designed by industry leaders to take ambitious entrepreneurs who work in moving image for storytelling, spanning film and television, games and technology, on a journey to maximise their ability and create opportunities for business growth. www.wearecreative.uk/support/creative-enterprise 

 

About Female Founders: 

The Female Founders Programme was established in 2020 to address the gender imbalance in the screen industries by providing women-led businesses with the support, skills, and networks needed to succeed. Designed specifically for female entrepreneurs in film, TV, gaming, immersive media, animation, and creative technology (createch), the programme offers a comprehensive six-month journey featuring expert-led workshops, one-on-one mentoring, financial guidance, and direct access to industry leaders. 

About British Business Bank: