It’s a wrap, as production group acquires Manchester film company

The Gate Films, a Manchester premium film production company, has been acquired by global production business, Tag, for an undisclosed sum.

The deal enables an exit for Quinn Venture Investments, which invested in the company in 2019.

Tag says the acquisition will allow it to provide enhanced production services including virtual production capabilities to its global client and agency base.

The Gate Films works with agencies and clients including The Very Group, House of Fraser, Tommee Tippee, McCann, Manifest & Cheetham Bell.

Established in Manchester in 1997, the team is led by chief executive Simon Lewis and joint heads of production, Rhiannon Lewis and James Shannon.

The business currently employs more than 25 staff made up of film producers and directors, photographers, VFX artists, animators, editors, social media managers, studio professionals and innovation architects.

The Gate was advised by Hill Dickinson, led by corporate partner James Down, with assistance from corporate associate Rachael Sykes and corporate paralegal Abigail Hill.

Simon Lewis said: “Becoming part of the Tag family means that we are now part of one of the top tier of production companies globally, not only giving us access to Tag’s production hubs around the world, but also helping us to attract an even broader range of talent from directors to creative producers and post production staff.

“I would also like to thank Peter Quinn and John Higham for their support throughout QVi’s investment and in ensuring we achieved a successful sale to the right partner in Tag.”

The Gate will continue to operate under its own brand and its senior leadership team will remain with the business.

Simon Lewis remains as CEO alongside a broader role as head of film, EMEA region for Tag EMEA, with responsibility for film production across EMEA.