Manchester production company The Gate Films changes hands in MBO

Commercial production firm The Gate Films has been acquired in a deal that will see the existing owners hand the reins to its management team.

The Manchester-based company – which creates TV commercials, online content and short films – will now be headed up by managing director Serena Fylan, who led the management buyout (MBO) team as it took over from former owners Sarah Jarvis and Simon Lewis.

Founded in 1996, The Gate’s turnover hit £6m in the last financial year. The company employs 20 full-time staff across sites in Manchester, Edinburgh and London. The Gate also has an office in Cape Town, South Africa.

Following the takeover, The Gate Films will relocate to new premises in Manchester city centre and launch a revamped website.

Serena, who undertook work experience with The Gate while applying for university and went on to join the company three years ago as head of production, 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.

“Creating and delivering inspiring and award-winning content has been the core of our business for 20 years and now under my stewardship we aim to do more than ever before. My focus is very much about finding great directors and filmmakers to be able to offer a great range of talent to the agencies and their brands, who we work with across the UK.”

She continued: “We have the breadth of expertise and flexibility that means we are equally at home producing a five-day international shoot as we are making table-top content in a small studio.

“In a time of buoyancy for our sector, I feel Manchester is becoming a new hub for creatives to operate. We are working with more North West business year on year and I hope to continue to showcase what creative and directing talent lies in our city.”

Outgoing CEO Simon Lewis commented: “Serena has the right drive, ambition, dedication and talent to continue to push The Gate on its exciting journey which was started 20 years ago by Sarah and I.

“Alongside the rest of the management team, Serena will ensure the way in which the company operates and the high level of service its agencies receive will remain the same, and the level of talent available to those agencies will continue to grow.”

He added: “The MBO was the correct route for the business, and most importantly the team, who have been a huge part of this company’s incredible growth and success.”

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