MEET THE TEAM

The Spark Family

Spark’s unique structure allows us to work with talented individuals from across the industry on a full-time or part-time basis. We want the best production talent to want to work with us and we’re set up to reward people accordingly.

The Founders

Mark Baker

Founder

Spark Media London

I’ve been working in the industry since leaving university back in 1992 and started out as a runner on comedy shows such as Red Dwarf and Root Into Europe. However, I was

quickly drawn into the world of live TV and between 1993-1999 had an alarm clock set for 3am after landing a job on C4’s seminal morning show, The Big Breakfast. With occasional time-off for good behaviour, I also worked on BBC’s Confessions, ITVs’ CITV Awards and LWT’s notorious late night series Live from the Capital Café where I met Steve. We set up award-winning format house Mast Media in 1999, successfully writing and selling formats to broadcasters around the world including winner of the Silver Rose of Montreux Oblivious and lottery-based game show The Big Call which offered the biggest prize in TV history! Mast Media was bought by Zodiak in 2008 and we exited in 2013. We set up Spark Media Partners in 2014 and were fortunate to hit the ground running with the commission in our first year of Escape To The Chateau and Battlechefs. The Chateau brand has continued to grow from strength to strength and we are now in the 7th season of our hit series Chateau DIY.

GUILTY TV PLEASURE – the indomitable – and soon to be much missed, Vera

Steve Havers

Founder

Spark Media London

Straight from leaving The University of Bristol back in 1994 I began working in-house at the BBC on well-known shows including That’s Life, the Esther chat show, Noel’s House

Party and All Rise for Julian Clary. In 1997 I left the beeb to work at indies Prospect Pictures, Planet 24 and September Films on shows including Pet Power, Fame & Fortune and The Big Breakfast. Mark & I worked together at Prospect and Planet and our future working partnership was forged. We set up award-winning format house Mast Media in 1999, successfully writing and selling formats to broadcasters around the world (including global hit prime-time game show Oblivious) until we were bought out by Zodiak and eventually exited in 2013. Older & wiser (or so we thought) and backed by private investors, we decided to set up Spark Media Partners as a full production company in 2014. Notable successes at Spark include Escape the the Chateau, Ancient Civilisations By Train with Alice Roberts and Channel 4 hit series Chateau DIY – now into its 7th series. As a lifelong West Ham fan however, my Spark high-point so far has undoubtedly been making Iron Men, the multi-award-winning feature doc that tells the story of the club’s move from their spiritual home of Upton Park to the Olympic Stadium in 2016.

GUILTY TV PLEASURE – short-lived BBC1 sunshine soap, Eldorado

Joff Hatfield-Powell

Chief Creative Officer

Spark Media North

I’ve been fortunate to work across all genres of television in a career spanning over 2 decades which has seen me running genre departments for some of the UK’s biggest

independent productions companies and on the other side of the fence commissioning shows for the UK and international market.

As an Exec Producer I have created and delivered (some award-winning) shows including, The Food Hospital for Channel 4, Playing It Straight for E4, BBCThree comedy World Series of Dating, AOL’s first UK digital series, Powershift with Hollywood actor Sophie Turner and Katie Piper’s Extraordinary Births for Channel 4.

As a Commissioner, I’ve ushered in shows such as Astronauts: Do you have what it takes? (BBC2), Red Bull X-Fighters (Dave), Joel and Nish Vs The World (Comedy Central), Worlds Most Expensive Cars (Channel 4) and quiz series Scream If you Know The Answer (Watch).

I joined Mark, Steve and Helen in 2019 to lead the creative for Spark and to build on the impressive foundations they had laid. In 2020 I set up our regional arm of the company, Spark Media North where we produced C4 daytime series, Tool Club and our primetime VR quiz pilot, The Tower. I have been the Executive Producer of over 130 episodes of Chateau DIY and created and delivered brand extensions of the format, Chateau DIY at Christmas (3 series) and Chateau DIY: Living the Dream for More4. I have also overseen 2 short films for the Princess Trust and our first branded Entertainment film for Channel 4.

GUILTY TV PLEASURE – Ru Paul’s Drag Race (I’m still heartbroken that I left BBCThree before it was commissioned)

Helen Morrell

Head of Production

Spark Media London

I started my TV career at London Studios back in 1995 where I was introduced to the world of entertainment working on shows including Blind Date, Have I got News

for You and David Letterman’s London Chat Show. I then moved to Hat Trick Productions as their audience co-ordinator and worked my way up to Production Manager working for numerous indies including OSF, Renegade Pictures, Mentorn Barraclough Carey and Wall to Wall.

In 2004 I set up Kew Films, an international crewing company and then in 2009, Nylon Films – a boutique corporate production company. In 2015 I was introduced to Spark Media by Paul Crompton (who I have worked with on and off for over 20 years) and started working for them part time as PM on the first series of ‘Escape to the Chateau’. I quickly persuaded Mark and Steve that I should be their Head of Production and the rest is history! There is nowhere else I would rather be and am so proud of what we have achieved over the last 10 years.

GUILTY TV PLEASURE: Milf Manor

Paul Crompton

Executive Producer

Spark Media North

I started as an apprentice in nuclear engineering aged 16, sheet metal work, welding, etc. On weekends I made short films

and was in a band. My first job in TV was at Granada, in the canteen doing dishes. When Tony Wilson was there I’d hand him a demo cassette. I went on to supervise bands in the TV studios and at one point ended up presenting a TV report.

Nowadays I love making observational documentaries. Working inside networks I have been a commissioner Sky1 and ITV and I was an Exec for the commissioning team at C5.

I have been involved in channel launches: Granada TV’s digital channels and BBC Arena. And I had an indie called Barge Pole, co-owned with actor Timothy Spall.

In 2014 I teamed up with Spark Media and created the award winning hit series Escape to the Chateau and its spin-off Chateau DIY.

Four documentaries have picked up multiple film festival awards; I made the BAFTA-nominated BBC series, Timothy Spall: Somewhere at Sea and I currently make a Channel 4 history/travelogue series with Alice Roberts.

GUILTY TV PLEASURE: I am addicted to the post office inquiry on Youtube and I watch The Wire, all 5 seasons, over and over again.

Spark Media Belfast

Heather Brown

Head of Development

Spark Media London

I have worked in development for 15 years and my credits span all genres from The Great Big Tiny Design Challenge (More 4), 48

Hours to Victory with Dermot O’Leary (C4), The Real Derry with Jamie-Lee O’Donnell (C4), That Winning Feeling (SKY Kids) Missing Millions: Grace Kelly (C5), Farm to Feast ( BBCNI) Barbershop for Bald Men (BBC3), Pretty Single (BBCNI), Gino D’Acampo’s Italian Escapes (ITV), Little British Isles with Alison Steadman (C4), Frontline Police (5), Britain’s Darkest Taboos (C&I), The Genealogy Roadshow (RTE/PBS) to All New Super Scary Plane Landings (C5). I also developed the UK version of Dance Mums (Lifetime) and worked on series 1 as the Story Producer. Prior to working in the glamorous world of telly, I spent 8 years as a magazine editor on sport, fitness and interior design magazines.

GUILTY TV PLEASURE – AIRPORT SECURITY

Cathy McMorrow

Development Producer

Spark Media Belfast

I have worked in telly for 13 years, with over a decade of that spent at the BBC and BBC Studios.

I started off in production, working on a range of programmes that took me all over the country (and sometimes around the world!) like The One Show, Wanted Down Under, Points of View and Sunday Morning Live.

In 2018 I moved to development for what was supposed to be 6 months… but somehow turned into 7 years!

I’ve worked on winning business for bases in Belfast, Bristol, London, Cardiff and Glasgow, with commissions including Maximum Security (BBC1), The Unique Boutique (C4), Our Coast (BBC2), The Great Home Transformation (C4), Rescue 999 (C5), Crime: Are We Tough Enough? (BBC1), and Christmas in New York: Inside the Plaza (C4).

I can’t wait to create exciting, returnable new formats with the brilliant team at Spark!

GUILTY TV PLEASURE – The Hills – the OG scripted reality!

Geraldine Smyth

Development Researcher

Spark Media Belfast

I’ve been working in the Media industry for over 3 years, but this is my first job in television!

Before joining Spark, I was on the BBC Production trainee scheme where I worked across a range of BBC projects in audio from drama, documentaries and comedy, where I honed my skills in story development, research and production support.

I’m passionate about uncovering untold stories and bringing fresh, diverse voices to screen and air. My experience spans everything from sourcing archive materials and developing story ideas to producing short works for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio Ulster. I love the thrill of discovery that comes with research, uncovering something that sparks a new idea or gives a story unexpected depth. Before working in TV and radio, I spent 2 years working as a wedding photographer.

When I’m not deep in a research rabbit hole, I’m usually behind a camera or editing something creative.

GUILTY TV PLEASURE – Taskmaster (I’m not guilty about it lol)

Wider Team

Andrew Brann

Business Affairs Advisor

I started as a solicitor in the City but escaped quite quickly to become legal adviser to ATV Music, owner of the Beatles music publishing

rights.

I was responsible for all ITV’s major sports contracts in the early 80’s, sometimes flying Concorde to New York to wrestle boxing rights from Don King. I joined Channel 4 in 1986, ultimately becoming its Head of Business Affairs and Programme Finance.

After leaving Channel 4 I worked in the Independent Production sector: as Commercial Director of Sunset and Vine and Mentorn; as MD of Gecko Productions; as MD of Love Productions and Acting MD of the Garden Productions.

Now I work as a consultant commercial adviser to production companies. I have been having fun working with Spark Media since its early days.

Anastasia Dickson

Finance Director

I joined Spark Media Partners at its inception, playing a key role in the funding round, and now serve as a Board member with overall

responsibility for the company’s financial strategy and all finance-related matters.

With over 15 years of experience in the TV industry, I have held various Finance Director positions with independent TV production companies, overseeing their journeys from inception to successful exits through acquisitions. My expertise spans factual, scripted, and animated content, as well as launching an internet channel in the early 2000s.

Prior to my work in television, I held senior roles in the software and oil & gas sectors, having started my career in banking and stockbroking.

In addition to my work with Spark Media Partners, I also serve as a financial controller for several films and TV drama series.

I am a qualified accountant and a member of the ACCA.

Jamie Barratt

Chairman

As the leading non executive director I aim to encourage a rigorous and constructive approach to leadership and management,

taking prudent financial decisions with a balanced approach to risk. This has been informed through a career running businesses in institutional investment in banks and hedge funds. Since 2012 I have focused on building early stage companies into successful enterprises. I have worked with Spark Media since its inception, helping with key strategic decisions such as the establishment of Kindling Media, and ongoing business direction.

Alongside Spark, I held similar media roles as Chair of Like a Shot Entertainment (Forbidden History, Abandoned Engineering, Fight Club) and I am current Chair of Radiant Post Production Group. I am an active investor in the companies I have a role in.

I also invest in public market equity and fixed income, and own a property development company. Earlier in my career I acted as a Board Director of Nomura Bank International. I hold an Economics degree (BA 1st cl. hons) from Exeter University.

Catherine Mabb

Talent Manager

Spark Media London

My first role in media was at Good Housekeeping magazine, where I worked as a consumer researcher. It wasn’t long before

I made my move into telly, taking my chance when I spotted an advert for Editor’s Secretary on Watchdog. I stayed at the BBC for ten years, eventually producing fast-turnaround consumer stories for Watchdog and its many spin-offs such as Value for Money and Healthcheck and travelling the country directing live OBs for Weekend Watchdog.

I spent a summer making films for BBC Holiday with trips to Monte Carlo, Thailand and Sardinia (though a 3-day trip in Skegness proved that not all shoots come with sunshine!) and I filmed in Paris, Holland and New York for Rolf on Art, producing and directing episodes on the artists Chagall, Vermeer and Andy Warhol.

I then moved to the specialist factual department, where I was a Producer on Tomorrow’s World before taking on my last role at the BBC as Series Producer on the live primetime show Best Inventions.

Since 2019, I’ve been focusing on talent — bringing new creatives into the industry and attracting and supporting existing talent. At Spark Media, I’m passionate about building a workplace where everyone can thrive. I’m always championing diversity, sustainability and inclusion, and helping underrepresented individuals carve out a career in the media. I love what I do and feel super lucky to be part of Spark’s dynamic and exciting team!

GUILTY TV PLEASURE – Rewatching episodes of the action thriller 24!

Hamid Koohpeyma

AI Engineer

Spark Media London

I began my career in IT support while simultaneously writing news and articles for an online gaming journal. That early blend of

troubleshooting technology and creating content fueled my next move: I taught myself programming and soon pivoted to secure a degree in Computer Engineering.

My career quickly evolved from building backends to becoming a full-stack project lead, managing the entire technical lifecycle of complex systems. But I felt the pull of the future. I pursued a master’s degree in data science, drawn specifically to the creative potential of Generative AI.

Now, as an AI Engineer at Spark Media, I’m putting that research into practice through an exciting collaboration with MMU funded by UKRI. My goal is to leverage AI to empower our industry, helping colleagues to be more productive and creative by streamlining and innovating content creation.

When I need a break from code, you can find me enjoying long walks, diving into video games, or on the court playing badminton.

GUILTY TV PLEASURE – I’m secretly obsessed with The Big Bang Theory. As I see it, a well-timed ‘Bazinga!’ is the algorithmic equivalent of a perfect solution.

Dylan Jackaman

Kit Room Supervisor

Spark Media London

In 2020 I graduated from Falmouth University with a BA in Marine and Natural History Film and Photography.

Since then, my work has taken me from the Galápagos Islands to the Swiss Alps, honing my ability to shoot in challenging environments. As a runner at Plimsoll Productions, I gained experience across multiple departments and earned credits on two National Geographic productions for Disney+: Arctic Ascent with Alex Honnold (as Junior Researcher) and The Devil’s Climb with Alex Honnold and Tommy Caldwell (as Researcher).

Following these projects, I transitioned into Plimsoll’s kit department as Technical Coordinator and Step-In Camera Technician, supporting every production in a technical capacity. Notable shows include Nightmares of Nature for Netflix and SHARK: Celebrity Infested Waters for ITV. This role deepened my hands-on experience with high-end filmmaking equipment, including cinema cameras, gimbals, and motion control systems.

After five years in Bristol, I relocated to London to pursue my long-term goal of becoming a Shooting Producer/Director in Factual Entertainment and Documentary. At Spark, I oversee all camera and technical equipment, working closely with production teams to coordinate kit logistics and resolve technical challenges. I also provide on-location support to ensure the technical side of each shoot runs smoothly from setup to wrap.

GUILTY TV PLEASURE – An Idiot Abroad – featuring the man, the myth, the legend: Karl Pilkington. I love how it combines humour with a fresh and unexpected perspective, bringing audiences along to experience some of the most incredible corners of the planet. It captures the essence of travel and exploration, but through a completely new lens.