London– NBCUniversal International Studios has hired Guy Sheppard as its new Senior Vice President (SVP) Legal & Business Affairs. Joining from leading media law firm Wiggin LLP, where he was a Partner in the Film and TV group, Sheppard will take responsibility for all Business Affairs across the entirety of the division and will report to Chief Operating Officer, Sarah Cooper.

Sheppard specialises in media production and finance, and has advised clients ranging from the Hollywood studios and major broadcasters to first-time independent producers on all aspects of film and television production and financing. His range of knowledge and experience within the television, film and wider media industries has led to his involvement in a broad range of projects – from rights creation and acquisition through to development, finance, production and distribution.

Sheppard was a member of the TV Coalition, which successfully lobbied for the introduction of the UK tax credit incentive for high-end TV, and is a recognised expert in this field. He has sat as an advisor to the Board of the International Screenwriters’ Festival, wrote the legal section of the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain manual, is a member of the Audit Committee of PACT and is a regular speaker at industry events.