Chris
Chris has demonstrable business development and funding skills in media, law, commerce and the arts. Formerly Head of Intellectual Property in London's foremost law firms, the legal directories described Chris as one of the most innovative lawyers of his generation. He has since created film funding techniques that have become industry standard, established and sold broadcasting businesses, and raised funding for and mentored artists and arts organisations.
Business Development & Arts Funding
Chris is Business Development & Funding advisor to, and Trustee of, the award winning Jermyn Street Theatre.. In six months as it's Business Development & Funding advisor, Chris introduced significant ongoing funding to Bernie Grant Arts Centre. Chris has been an active pro bono Board Member of The Arts Council funded ‘Film & Video Umbrella’ working with outstanding creative talents such as Cory Arcangel, Phil Collins, Tacita Dean, Dryden Goodwin and Gillian Wearing whilst building fundraising partnerships and sponsorship.
Producer & Director
Chris pioneered successful new film financing techniques such as for Kenneth Branagh's Renaissance Films plc in his movie 'Henry V' and executive produced films such as Staggered (with Martin Clunes, Anna Chanceller, Sylvia Syms, Griff Rhys Jones and Virginia McKenna), Bathtime (with Julie Walters OBE and Alan Cumming OBE) and others. Chris wrote, produced and directed 'The Squeakies', the world's first comedy feature film shot in 5D Multiscope, with cameos from Morgan Freeman, Sandra Bullock, Michael Caine and Ewan McGregor. Chris is writer of upcoming feature 'The Princess of Dachau' which tells the extraordinary story of WW2 hero Noor Inayat Khan.
Journalism and Broadcasting
Chris is Managing Director of London At Large Ltd, recognised as the original celebrity, arts and entertainment forward planning service working with BBC, RTE, ITV, BSkyB, Gucci, Harrods, Armani, Tatler, Prince's Trust, Virgin Records, Grazia and others. He edits the webzine, offering opportunity and training to new journalists. Chris was a regular columnist for Business Age magazine. He has regularly appeared on TV and radio on issues of copyright, branding, celebrity and other excitement, and is a regular panel contributor on British film making and financing. Chris established and sold the first privately owned digital satellite broadcaster in the UK, broadcasting to BhS, Homebase, Granada Motorway Services, Topps Tiles etc. Chris created the UK's original Student Radio Network sustainer service and received gold promo disks for helping to launch The Stereophonics and others.
Lawyer
Chris is Managing Partner of Old Street Law targeting the UK's best start ups and creative businesses. He has established a clear reputation for advice on intellectual property, startups and specialist private equity transactions, and for sales promotion law and the marketing of goods and services, acting for leading FMCG brands, banks, agencies and corporates. Chris has also established a niche reputation for high net worth art transactions, dealing with the works of Henry Moore, Picasso, Degas, Rodin and the like, and acting in connection with Brit Art pioneers, (Damien Hirst, Rachel Whiteread, Gillian Wearing etc), leading galleries and even antiquities for The People's Republic of China. He represented participants in The Bloody Sunday Enquiry and journalists and publications in matters of free speech. He appears on the Roll of Solicitors and is a Member of the Law Society of Great Britian.
Mentor and Guest Lecturer
Chris enjoys mentoring emerging media and creative businesses and, over the years, has given (and continues to give) pro bono advice to numerous household name and other artists and organisations, and guest lectures. (The Royal College of Art, The School of Fine Art, The Federation of British Artists, City University MA Journalism etc). Chris is pro bono advisor to award winning theatre production companies and talent.
In his spare time, when not contemplating getting fit, Chris writes, has learned web languages (HTML5, .NET, SQL, Javascript, database design), studied digital film making (Westminster University) and directing for theatre (Royal Central School for Speech and Drama ).
The photos that load with this page were taken on location on the Robin Hood set in Budapest, Hungary and around London