True North wins Channel 4 investment

YORKSHIRE TV production company True North is among the first companies to win investment from Channel 4’s £20m Growth Fund.

The Leeds-based business, behind shows including MTV’s The Valleys and More4’s property show Building The Dream, has announced a major partnership with Channel 4 which has taken a minority stake in the company.

True North was one of four selected for its creative and commercial strength, and was the only company outside of London.

The investment will underpin True North’s plans for continued creative development, and build on the success which has seen it increase turnover by more than 40% in the past two years from £7.1m in 2013 to £10.m in 2014.

At the same time, creative director and co-founder Glyn Middleton is moving on to pursue fresh challenges within the industry.

True North co-founder and creative director, Andrew Sheldon said: “We’re confident that entering into a partnership with Channel 4 will be a game changer for True North.

“Television is a mercurial business, and having a world class broadcaster as a stakeholder will be an enormous advantage as we grow the company nationally and internationally in such a rapidly changing environment. In return, we’ll be aiming to enhance Channel 4’s reputation for supporting the independent production community as a whole, particularly outside of the M25.”

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