MBO at £6m turnover TV advertising company

MANCHESTER-based TV commercials specialist The Gate Films has been acquired in a by its current management team in an MBO.

Thirty-year-old Serena Fylan will now become managing director of the company, led the management team in the deal which will see seen current owners Sarah Jarvis and Simon Lewis sell the firm after 20 years.

Formed in 1996, The Gate, which has seen significant growth with a £6m turnover in the last financial year, has offices in Manchester, London, Edinburgh and Cape Town and employs 20 full time staff (across three UK sites) as well as a roster of highly-skilled freelancers.

The company, says it is very much focused on being a director-led production company.

Fylan first got involved with the company when she undertook work experience while applying for university.

She then went off to study at Bournemouth University, joining The Gate three years ago taking up the position of head of production.

She said: “This is an exciting time for The Gate as our sustained creative growth has allowed us to attract great scripts from many new and established  agencies across the UK and Ireland.”

Simon Lewis, outgoing chief executive added: “Serena has the right drive, ambition, dedication and talent to continue to push The Gate on its exciting journey which was started twenty years ago by Sarah and I.”

The Gate Films will be moving to new premises in central Manchester and launching a new website.

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