Origin Bolsters Management Team

Chessington, UK, 29 November 2021 – Origin Film & Television, a broadcast and post-production equipment rental company specialising in workflow design and engineering, has appointed James Gander as managing director. Former managing director and company director of Hyperactive Broadcast, Gander’s appointment is a strategic move designed to accelerate the ambitious growth plans of the business. Liam Wife, the company’s founder, remains as operations director.

Gander joins former associates and colleagues at Origin following a highly successful first year of trading and the recent acquisition of MCR Broadcast. Formed in 2020, Origin has already delivered more than 140 projects for broadcasters and production companies around the world, exceeding projected turnover.

James Gander has a 35 year career in the industry, starting as a driver at Hyperactive. He has worked for a number of production companies, including Tony Mander Films and Clark Productions, as clapper-loader, focus-puller and eventually camera operator. Returning to Hyperactive, he quickly progressed from engineering into the rental team, before being appointed as managing director in 2007, and then company director in 2016 following Gravity Media’s takeover.

Gander’s extensive career from driver to company director has enabled him to gain significant skills and experience in the industry, which will prove invaluable as he drives Origin forward into the next growth phase.

“I have known Liam and the team for many years and have always been impressed with their drive and their technical excellence,” Gander said. “I’m delighted to be joining the Origin team and this fresh challenge. Together we will build a strong future for Origin.”

Reflecting current trends in the industry, Origin has developed cloud, virtualised and remote services and cutting-edge project design alongside traditional rental services. High profile projects in the company’s first year have included many of the major sports highlights of the year, including the multi-sport events in Tokyo, working with leading outside broadcast companies like EMG and NEP. Original also provides kit and system design for reality and factual entertainment shows, and long-form drama.

With a current inventory valued at £5 million and a vision for continuing investment and rolling technology refreshes, it is the right time to appoint a strong managing director who can realise these goals.

“Having worked alongside James for many years, I couldn’t think of anyone better to join our team,” said Liam Wife, founder of Origin. “His passion and insight have always been a huge influence in my life, and his business aptitude, ability to look at the bigger picture and wealth of experience mean he is ideally placed to deliver our accelerated expansion programme.”