OREANDA-NEWS. Pinewood Group plc ("Pinewood"), a leading provider of services to the global film and television industry, today (26 January 2016) announces a joint venture with StoryFirst PST Limited, part of the family investment office of Peter Gerwe and partners, with investments in pay TV channels, global TV production, and media distribution platforms. The new company is named Pinewood Television Limited ("Pinewood Television") and its principal business is to create, develop and finance high quality drama series for television for the international market. Helen Gregory has been appointed Creative Director to lead the company.

Pinewood Television is expected to be both an originating producer and a co-producing partner for major drama projects looking for deficit funding. It is in the process of arranging long term external financing from a group of investors and banks to invest directly into its slate.

Pinewood Television will be looking to fill an important gap in the market acting as a one stop shop, through strong partnerships with producers, providing both development and deficit financing to them with enhanced upside economics. The company aims to become a mainstream originator and financier, building a library of TV content, once financed, it will have the ability to facilitate the development, greenlighting, production, marketing and distribution of high end TV drama.

Helen Gregory will lead the creative process from development through production to delivery to broadcasters and distributors. Helen is an award winning producer of drama and comedy for BBC 1, BBC 2, BBC 3, ITV, C4, Five and Sky and was previously a commissioning editor for Drama at Channel Four. Her producing credits include Byker Grover, EastEnders, Grafters, In Defence, No Angels, Never Better, Perfect Day, and Case Histories. Her most recent work includes The Enfield Haunting starring Timothy Spall and Matthew MacFadyen for Sky Living, Cider With Rosie starring Samantha Morton for BBC 1, Sky Atlantic's Fortitude, BBC 2/BBC America's The Last Kingdom and Julian Fellowes's Dr Thorne for Hat Trick/The Weinstein Company and ITV. Helen is the co-creator and co-executive producer of The Catch a new US series for Shondaland/ABC.

Ivan Dunleavy, Chief Executive, Pinewood Group plc said:

"The global demand for high end television continues to rise dramatically and, with HETV fiscal incentives available, the Pinewood television business will participate in this growing market. Pinewood Television's offering will build on the financing experience that Pinewood and StoryFirst has developed to date."

Peter Gerwe, CEO, StoryFirst said:

"I am delighted to be in partnership with Pinewood which, with its iconic and internationally recognised brand, long history and global infrastructure will bring considerable value and a wealth of experience to this joint venture. We are fortunate to have such a strong Board of Directors comprising highly experienced industry executives to guide and build the business. We are immensely pleased that we have been able to recruit such a high profile and talented creative team. We look forward to a long and fruitful partnership with Pinewood, developing and building Pinewood Television into world class originator and owner of high quality television drama."

Helen Gregory, Creative Director of Pinewood Television said:

"This partnership is uniquely set up as a valuable new content creator of real scale. I am thrilled by the opportunity to provide robust editorial and financial support to the ambitions of world class talent and believe Pinewood Television will be welcomed by the creative community and buyers alike."