HomeCVContactLinks

Profile


An Emmy-winning Executive Producer with a proven track record in the creative industries. Specialising in new business strategy, Richard combines creative flair with financial and technical expertise to deliver projects on time and on budget. He has successfully facilitated significant strategic changes, tripling both turnover and profit, and has an outstanding track record in company development and managing change.

As an Executive Producer, his films have won numerous awards, including the Emmy, Grierson, Royal Television Society, FOCAL, and Broadcast awards.

Calm and decisive under pressure, Richard has successfully launched 14 television channels for internationally renowned brands. A strong negotiator with excellent budgeting and forecasting skills, he has a passion for new technologies and their media applications. Richard is an exceptional communicator and a regular public speaker and presenter. He has served on juries for BAFTA, the RTS, the Emmys, and many others.

 

Experience

Executive Producer & Managing Director

  

 2022 – Present: Freelance Executive Producer and Consultant

  • Currently in production on a 3 x 1-hour series for Channel 4 (2025).

  • In development and preproduction on a 3 x 1-hour series for Sky Arts.

  • Consultant for Caledonia Television.

2020 – 2022: Channel Director, 67pallmall.tv

  • Led the creation of a 24/7 global FTA 4K web channel dedicated to wine.

  • Set up two 4K studios in London's Pall Mall and launched the channel in just six months (during lockdown).

  • Produced 85% of the channel’s programming, delivering over 900 hours in two years.

  • Executive Producer for Secrets of the Imperial War Museum (6 x 1 hour) for Channel 5.

2012 – 2020: Managing Director & Executive Producer, Spring Films Ltd.

  • Led financial and managerial operations for a London-based independent production company specialising in international co-productions and factual programming for TV and cinema.

  • Oversaw multiple award-winning productions, including:

    • Fireball: Visitors from Darker Worlds (Apple TV+) – Dir. Werner Herzog & Clive Oppenheimer

    • How to Stay Out of Jail (Channel 4) – Dir. Jemma Gander

    • PRISON 2 (Channel 4) – RTS, Broadcast & Grierson award-winning series, Dir. Paddy Wivell

    • Indian Space Dreams – Producer credit, 90-minute international distribution

    • Meeting Gorbachev (A&E/MDR) – Dir. Werner Herzog & André Singer

    • PRISON (Channel 4) – Three-part series, Dir. Paddy Wivell

    • Where the Wind Blows – Feature-length documentary, Dir. André Singer

    • Into the Inferno (Netflix) – Emmy-nominated, Dir. Werner Herzog

    • Night Will Fall (BFI/Channel 4/HBO) – RTS, Peabody & Emmy award-winning, Dir. André Singer

    • Beyond Bollywood (BBC4) – Feature-length documentary

    • Lonnie Donegan and Me (ITV) – One-hour special

2010 – 2024: Executive Producer & Programme Consultant, Urban Canyons Ltd.

  • EP for the successful Samurai series (six parts) broadcast across Europe and on the Smithsonian Channel (US).

  • EP for Warrior Women (8 x 1 hour, Smithsonian Channel).

  • EP for God’s Soldiers (2 x 1 hour, ZDF) on the siege of Malta.

2010 – 2011: Programme Consultant

  • Worked with Pricey Media Ltd., Global Arts, and Alchemiya.

2002 – 2010: Channel Director & Head of Programming

  • Oversaw History, Bio, Bio HD, History HD, Military History, The Crime & Investigation Network, and Crime & Investigation HD.

  • Expanded the company from broadcasting two UK digital channels to seven channels across three continents within five years.

  • Increased turnover and profit by over 300%.

  • Grew the company from 26 to 110 staff with <5% annual turnover.

  • Managed the introduction of HD broadcasting, delivering one of the UK’s first HD channels.

  • Introduced new post-production technologies, saving over £500K annually.

  • Designed a programme database that significantly improved efficiency.

  • Winner of Broadcast’s Factual Channel of the Year (nominated twice more).

1999 – 2002: Channel Director & Executive Director, Artsworld (now Sky Arts)

  • One of the original creators of the channel and its business plan.

  • Project-managed the channel’s launch and transmission.

  • Helped raise £6.5 million in equity finance.

  • Commissioned 500+ hours of programming, from documentaries to concerts and magazine shows.

1998 – 1999: Head of Production, Jeremy Isaacs Productions

  • Managed business and production operations, reporting to Sir Jeremy Isaacs.

  • Oversaw Millennium – a 10-part, award-winning series on the last 1000 years.

1997 – 1998: BBC Launch Manager, People+Arts & Animal Planet

  • Based in Discovery’s Latin American HQ (Miami).

  • Led BBC input into two BBC/Discovery joint venture channels under a $600 million contract.

1995 – 1997: Producer & Director, Cold War (CNN)

  • BAFTA-nominated, Peabody-winning 24-part series commissioned by Ted Turner.

  • Designed operational and editing systems for Jeremy Isaacs Productions.

  • Produced and directed three episodes.

1993 – 1995: Head of Production & Producer/Director, InCA

  • Produced and directed programmes for the BBC and Channel 4, including Equinox, Horizon, and The Royal Institution Christmas Lectures.

1988 – 1993: Managing Director & Producer, Picture House Productions

  • Specialised in music videos and commercials.

  • Increased revenue by over 100% year on year.

1986 – 1988: Producer, Wood Film

  • One of the first independent companies commissioned by Channel 4.

1985 – 2005: Managing Director, Heavy Pencil

  • Grew the company from a £1,500 investment to an asset value of £500,000, with an annual turnover of £350,000 and a 35% profit margin.

Industry Involvement
Richard is a member of BAFTA and the Royal Television Society, regularly serving on and chairing judging panels.

Awards
Recent accolades include:

  • Emmy – Outstanding Historical Programme

  • Grierson – Best Factual Series

  • Broadcast – Best Factual Series

  • Royal Television Society – Best Factual Series

  • Royal Television Society – Best History Documentary

  • Peabody Award – Best History Documentary

  • Silbersalz Science & Media Award

  • FOCAL Award – Best History Documentary

  • FOCAL Award – Best Use of Archive Footage

 
 

Richard Melman